Are pressure injuries typically deep compared to intertriginous and incontinence-associated dermatitis?

Pressure injuries (PIs) are indeed typically deeper than intertriginous dermatitis (ITD) and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). The pathophysiology of pressure injuries involves sustained pressure that causes localized damage to the skin and underlying tissues, often resulting in wounds that can extend through various layers of the skin and may involve subcutaneous tissue, muscle, or even bone.

In contrast, ITD and IAD are generally associated with skin moisture and friction, where the damage is often limited to the superficial layers of the skin, such as the epidermis and the upper dermis. These conditions occur due to skin irritation caused by friction, moisture, and maceration rather than deep tissue injury, and while they can lead to significant discomfort, they do not typically penetrate deeply into the tissues.

Therefore, it is accurate to state that pressure injuries are typically deeper than both intertriginous dermatitis and incontinence-associated dermatitis, as they involve a more severe disruption of skin and tissue integrity due to the different underlying mechanisms of injury.