Synthesis of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel position statement on pressure ulcer classification and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) differentiation22 23
| Pressure ulcer | IAD | |
| Cause | Pressure and/or shear must be present | Moisture must be present (eg, shining, wet skin caused by urinary incontinence or diarrhoea) |
| Location | A wound over a bony prominence is likely to be a pressure ulcer | IAD may occur over a bony prominence; however, pressure and shear should be excluded as causes, and moisture should be present |
| Shape | If the lesion is limited to one spot, it is likely to be a pressure ulcer | Diffuse, different superficial spots are more likely to be IAD |
| Depth | Partial thickness skin loss and full thickness skin loss | Superficial (partial thickness skin loss) |
| Necrosis | A black necrotic scab on a bony prominence is a pressure ulcer grade 3 or 4; if there is no or limited muscular mass underlying the necrosis, the lesion is a pressure ulcer grade 4 | No necrosis |
| Edges | Distinct edges | Diffuse or irregular edges |
| Colour | If redness is non-blanchable, this is most likely a pressure ulcer grade 1 | Blanchable or non-blanchable erythema; pink or white surrounding skin due to maceration |