The importance of periwound skin in wound healing: an overview of the evidence

The importance of the periwound skin as the ‘organ of healing’ in the skin should not be underestimated. This paper explores the numerous healing processes originating in the periwound skin, without which healing progression would not occur. This paper also explores how damage to the periwound skin is ubiquitous and can occur because of underlying pathology, misdiagnosis, mismanagement or the use of inappropriate treatments. As such, it is imperative that management strategies, including correct assessment of both wound bed and periwound skin, identify the correct treatment choice to lead to better patient/wound outcomes.