Characteristic | IAD | Pressure ulcer |
Color | Bright red in persons with lighter skin tones and subtle red in persons with darker skin tones | Deep red (maroon) to reddish or bluish purple in suspected deep tissue injury |
Location | Perineal or perigenital skin, especially near anus, in skin folds or underneath absorptive incontinence product such as underpad or body-worn brief | Typically found over bony prominence |
Lesions | One or more islands or erosion to extensive denudation of epidermis and dermis | Varies from partial thickness to full thickness wounds |
Borders | Diffuse | Demarcated |
Necrotic tissue | None | Black eschar or yellow slough may be present |
Exudate | None or clear, serous exudate | Volume varies; high-volume purulent exudate seen in some cases |
Symptoms | Burning pain, itching | Pain and itching, may be exacerbated by dressing change |