Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, are caused by excessive pressure on the skin and are common in those who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound. Treatment involves cleaning, dressing, and repositioning the body. Prevention includes regular body position changes, softer surfaces, and a nutritious diet.
A pressure ulcer is a skin lesion that appears due to excessive rubbing or direct pressure on a part of the body. Also known as bed sores and pressure sores, pressure ulcers are common in people who are bedridden or wheelchair bound due to paralysis, acute injury, old age, or morbid obesity. The ulcers appear most frequently on the buttocks, hips, shoulder blades and knees, although they can emerge on any area of skin that is subjected to constant pressure. Treatment usually involves cleaning and dressing the lesions and repositioning the body to avoid excessive pressure. Nurses and caregivers can prevent most pressure ulcers by helping their patients change body position regularly and by inspecting the sites where sores are most likely to appear.
The first appearance of a pressure ulcer is marked by red, irritated patches of skin. Within days, the outer layers of skin can break down and look like a large blister. The ulcer may ooze fluid, especially if it becomes infected. Without treatment, the inner layers of the skin and the underlying muscle, bone, and tendon tissue are damaged. Most pressure ulcers are painful and easily recognized, although they may go unnoticed in patients who are desensitized due to paralysis or unable to communicate with healthcare professionals.
Older people who lack mobility are at a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers, as skin tissue tends to thin and weaken as they get older. Other populations at risk for pressure sores include people hospitalized due to injury or illness, victims of paralysis, and excessively obese people. An individual with diabetes or a vascular disorder may also experience a pressure ulcer due to inadequate blood circulation and parts of the body that are often under pressure.
Doctors, nurses, or healthcare professionals who notice pressure ulcers administer treatment based on the severity of the lesions. Most sores are treated by cleaning the area thoroughly with mild soap and water, applying an antibiotic ointment, and dressing the wound with a bandage. The patient is readjusted to his bed or wheelchair to avoid excessive pressure on the sore. A doctor may need to remove damaged tissue from a more serious pressure ulcer. If the ulcer persists for several days or weeks, surgery may be needed to remove large sections of tissue and repair the skin.
Pressure ulcers can generally be prevented with special care by healthcare professionals, nurses, doctors and patients themselves. Healthcare professionals can reduce the likelihood of pressure sores by helping their patients change their body position several times a day. A softer mattress, padded bed rails, and foam wheelchair backs can further reduce pressure. Additionally, it is important for a patient to maintain a nutritious diet and exercise routine to the best of her ability to promote healthy immune system function and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
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