A person experiencing loss of feeling may be susceptible to any of the following:
| Consequences of loss of feeling | |
|---|---|
| Scalds and burns | As a result of being unaware of hot temperatures (e.g. water for bathing, cooking, food / drinks) |
| Cuts and abrasions | As a result of being unable to feel their face (e.g. shaving) or hands (e.g. cooking) |
| Falls | As a result of not being able to feel their foot on the ground, which can impact on their mobility & balance. They may be anxious and have a fear for falling, particularly if they have had previous falls. A falls risk assessment should be completed on admission to hospital or care homes. Refer to local documentation and guidelines. See additional information for more details on preventing falls. |
| Damage to skin | As a result of not being able to feel when it is necessary to change position and help prevent pressure damage. Friction, poor nutrition, incontinence, excoriation or infection can also cause damage to skin. |
| Further injuries | Pain can be a ‘protective’ mechanism which makes the person more aware of the injury and careful to prevent further injury. If a person does not feel pain, they can be more susceptible to repeated damage. |
Page last reviewed: 02 Feb 2022
