(7) Discolorations, Bleaching and Stain Removers

Discoloration

Any abnormal color in or on the body

Stain

To discolor with foreign matter; an area so discolored

Disease

Any deviation from, or interruption of, the normal structure or function of a body part, organ or system

Trauma

Physical injury or wound caused by external force or violence

Decomposition

Separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbes and/or autolytic enzymes

Lividity (livor mortis)

Postmortem intravascular redblue discol

Hypostasis

Settling of the blood and/or other fluids to dependent parts of the body

Bleaching Agent

Chemicals that lighten or blanche skin discolorations

Bleaching

The act of lightening a discoloration

Hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells that liberates hemoglobin

Blanch

To whiten by removing color; to pale

Phenol (carbolic acid)

Antiseptic/disinfectant employed to dry moist tissues and to bleach discolored tissues

A ____ CAN be removed with embalming techniques. A ____ CANNOT

discoloration ; stain

What can determine a stain vs discoloration?

Pre embalming analysis via digital pressure. If it blancjes, its a discoloration. If it doesn’t the blood has hemolyzed, released hematin into the tissues and has caused a post mortem stain

What are pre embalming color changes?

-Disease
-decomp
-Medical treatment
-Trauma lividity
-Postmortem stain

What are embalming color changes?

-Too strong an arterial injection
-Inadequate drainage
-HCHO/jaundice reactions

What are post embalming discolorations?

-Razor burn
-Graying
-Post embalm decomp
-Dehydration

What can be used to treat discolorations and stain treatments?

-Bleaching
-Cosmetics
-Both

What are bleaching the agents?

-Cavity fluid
-Phenol and/or alcohol
-Preservative gel
-Special bleaching fluid

What are the effects of bleaching agents?

-Lightening of the stained area
-Lightening of the non stained area
-Possible dehydration
-Fixation of tissue

What is the surface compress/pack bleaching technique?

A cotton pack soaked in bleaching agent is applied to the discolored area (topical)
-Apply massage cream to surrounding tissues
-Cover the compress with plastic
-Check at intervals to monitor effectiveness
-Remove once stain is adequately lessened or removed

What is the hypodermic injection bleaching technique?

A syringe and needle are used to inject bleaching agent under the skin
-Apply massage cream
-Injecting bleaching agent to entire stained area, superficially
-Seal the injection site with adhesives or sealer to prevent leakage

Phenol can over-bleach and dehydrate an area of discoloration. What can be done about this?

-Alcohol should be avaliable to neutralize the phenol
-If over bleach begins to occur, brush the area with alcohol to stop the process

What can create surface, non tissue stains?

Adhesive tape, blood, paint, nicotine, tar, varnish, iodine, grease, oil, wax, urine, ink, glue and lipstick

Aspiration

To draw out liquids or gases by maens of suctionC

Cauterize

to dry tissue through the use of heat or chemical

Electric Spatula

An electricially heated blade which may be used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue or restore contour oil

What is swelling and distension?

Excesive accumulation of liquid or gas in the tissues or abnormal tissue growth

What are pre embalming reasons for swelling and distention?

-Pathologcial (trauma)
-trauma
-Decomp
-Improper handling/positioning of body
-Medical procedures

What might cause swelling and distention during embalming?

-Excessive fluid injection and/or insufficient drainage
-Improper embalming machine usage

What is the concentrated arterial fluid method for treating swelling?

Inject a strong, dehydrating solution. May mean doubling or tripling arterial silution strength

What are the external pressure methods for treating swelling and distention?

-Manual
-Wet cotton compress
-Collar
-Electric spatula

Manual external pressure method (swelling)

Digital manipulation with the fingers and hands

Cold water on cotton placed on swollen feature is what method for treating swelling and distention?

Wet cotton press

What is the collar method for treating swelling and distention?

Pneumatic (compressed air, sand or water) collar around the neck

How can the electric spatula be used to treat swelling and distention?

Cover the area with massage cream and then reduce with heat and a continuous, quick motion

Aspiration method for swelling and distentinon

Removal of tissue or gas with a small trocar or a needle and syringe

What is the tecnique for the channeling technique for swelling and distention?

-Inserting a needle or trocar into a swollen area to make multiple channels or canals for the release of fluid or gas
-Multiple channels are typically made from a single entry
-After channeling massage and/or gravity treatment enhance the removal of fluid or gas

What are the types of incision techniques for treating swelling and distention?

-Concealed
-Exposed
-Wicking

What is the concealed incision technique?

-The first and preferred method
-Incise under eyelid, inside cheek and/or(?) behind lips
-Make an incision and then apply manual pressure to squeeze out excess fluid

What is the exposed incision method?

-LEAST preferred method as incision is exposed
-Combine with manual pressure and wicking
-Requires suturing, waxing/cosmetic, possible surface leakage

What is the wicking incision method?

Cotton is placed against the incision area to draw out or wick fluid awy from the incision site

What is the surgical reduction method for treating swelling and distention?

-LAST option for swelling, exception being tumors and other hard masses
-Remove tissue
-Dry and cauterize
-Seal the area and suture
-Wax and cosmetize as needed

What is desquamation?

The sloughing off of the epidermis wherein there is a separation of epidermis from the underljying dermis

Dequamation can occur before death as caused by excessive exposure to….

-heat or cold
-Radioactive agents
-Caustic chemicals

Desquamation can develop after death as a consequence of

-Decomp
-Inadequate embalming (inadequate volume, strength and distribution of arterial solution)

How should you treat skin slip?

-Puncture and drain blisters that have developed
-Remove loose skin
-Surface compress of cavity fluid or phenol (can be applied after embalming)
-may need to hypo below skin slip
-If skin becomes dark and dry, cosmetize