Sarah Le Lievre describes the basic functions of the skin and how the nurse can minimise skin damage in incontinent patients.

Sarah Le Lievre RGN, CMB Pt 1, FETC,
Cert H Ed, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Continence Health & Social Services, Jersey, Channel Islands. Executive Committee Member of the RCN Continence Care Forum.

Article accepted for publication August 1999.