pancreatitis and skin problems

LibraRNinNY · Sep 22, 2009

I'm not sure what you mean by "skin problems"... Pancreatitis does cause bluish coloring on the abdomen and back/flanks (Cullen's and Turner's signs).

-The pain, nausea, and vomiting could result in dehydration and malnutrition, which would put the patient at greater risk for skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.

-If the pancreatitis is caused by alcoholism, the patient would also be at risk for liver failure. This would in turn cause the patient to appear jaundiced, and his/her skin would itch. Scratching the skin would cause additional ulcers, which would ooze blood because the liver wouldn't be producing clotting factors. But again, that's only if the patient was suffering from liver failure as well. It wouldn't be caused by the pancreatitis itself.

Let me know if this was any help at all!

allnurses Guide · Sep 22, 2009

In addition to above think about maybe Gallstone Pancreatitis, if the patient is Jaundice that would have implications for skin integrity

jennfinn · Sep 23, 2009

thanks so much, that does help!