Where do bedsores come from and how to get rid of them

What are bedsores

This is damage to the skin and deep tissues that appearPressure ulcers (pressure sores) / NHS due to prolonged body pressure on certain areas. Therefore, such a problem is often faced by weakened patients who are forced to constantly lie or move in a wheelchair.

When bedsores appear

Pathology can occur in any person who is bedridden. But the risk goes upPressure ulcers (pressure sores) / NHS in the following cases:

• Age over 70. Then the skin becomes drier and more vulnerable.
• Serious illness or surgery, due to which a person is bedridden.
• Complete or partial paralysis.
• Obesity.
• Incontinence. Constant moisture makes the skin friable, it is easier to damage.
• Exhaustion due to inadequate nutrition.
• Diseases in which blood flow is impaired or the skin becomes fragile. For example, diabetes, pathology of peripheral arteries, renal or heart failure, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Also bedsores occurBedsores (pressure ulcers) / Mayo Clinic

from rubbing against bedding, clothing, or persistent slipping. For example, when the bed is raised and the patient slowly slides off of it.

Where do bedsores appear?

If a person moves in a wheelchair, then bedsores may appearBedsores (pressure ulcers) / Mayo Clinic on the buttocks and tailbone, spine or shoulder blades, and on the back of the arms and legs that you have to lean on.

Those who have to lie down for a long time develop pressure sores.Bedsores (pressure ulcers) / Mayo Clinic in the following places:

• The back of the head and whiskey.
• Shoulder blades.
• Loin, tailbone, thigh.
• Heels, ankles and skin under the knees.

What are the symptoms of bedsores

Usually, the injury develops gradually. But it happens that bedsores formPressure ulcers (pressure sores) / NHS very quickly, literally in a few hours. Pathology can be determined by early or late signs.

Early symptoms

They correspond to a stage I pressure sore and can be as follows:

• A place that is compressed turns red in light-skinned people, and blue in dark-skinned ones.
• Injured areas do not turn white when pressed.
• The skin becomes hard, very warm or spongy to the touch.
• The affected area is sore or itchy.

Late symptoms

The following is observed:

• An open wound or blister is a stage II pressure sore.
• A deep wound that spreads to the lower layers of the skin is stage III.
• A very deep wound that can reach muscles and bones is stage IV.

Why are bedsores dangerous?

Because of them, they can get insideBedsores (pressure ulcers) / Mayo Clinic microorganisms that will lead to inflammation. Sometimes it even damages the nerves, and the person does not feel pain in the injured area.

If the infection invades the bones, osteomyelitis will develop. Sometimes joints are affected and septic arthritis develops.

When pressure sores do not heal for a long time, they turn into Marjolen's ulcers. And they increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer.

In the most severe cases, the infection enters the bloodstream and leads to the development of sepsis, or blood poisoning.

When to see a doctor

Pressure sores usually appear in people who are in the hospital for a long time or are bedridden at home. Therefore, the first symptoms are noticed by relatives or staff who are caring for the patient. You need to call right awayPressure ulcers (pressure sores) / NHS doctor, if, in addition to the symptoms listed above, the following appeared:

• the skin is swollen and red;
• pus from the wound;
• the skin is cold to the touch;
• cardiopalmus;
• severe or increasing pain at the site of injury;
• high temperature body.

How are bedsores treated?

Have toPressure ulcers (pressure sores) / NHS apply several methods of therapy at once.

Change of position

By constantly changing position and turning the person from side to side, you can relieve pressure on the pressure sores and speed up their healing. How often this will have to be done, the doctor will decide. Sometimes - every 15 minutes, and in some cases once every 2-4 hours is enough.

If a person moves in a wheelchair, you also need to periodically change your posture.

Special mattresses

They are different: some models are made of special foam, while others are connected to a pump that pumps air inside. Mattresses help redistribute pressure under the body so that blood flow in the tissues improves.

You can also use foam cushions to help distribute pressure under your head.

Medical dressings

They are of several types:

• Alginate - consists of seaweed and, with the help of sodium and calcium, help to speed up the healing of pressure ulcers.
• Hydrocolloid - contain a gel to stimulate the growth of new cells in the wound, keep the skin dry and clean.

There are also various antimicrobial dressings, foam, gel, film that help restore the skin's surface. But it is not recommended to use bandages: they can dry out to the wound.

Antibacterial medicines

If the infection has penetrated into the bedsores and it spreads deeper, it is necessary to use antibiotics.

Cleansing the wound

For the wound to heal better, the dead tissue must be removed. This can be done under a special high pressure water jet, using ultrasound or surgical techniques. In the latter case, the manipulation is carried out under local anesthesia using forceps or a scalpel.

Operation

Severe Stage III and IV pressure sores do not heal on their own. In these cases, surgery is needed. The doctor will first clean the wound and then join the edges together. Sometimes skin grafts from neighboring areas are even required.

But surgical treatment is not always successful, as people who undergo surgery are weakened and recovery is difficult.

How to prevent pressure sores

To reduce the likelihood of their development, you need to observeBedsores (pressure ulcers) / Mayo Clinic the following recommendations:

• Change your body position as often as possible. Better at least once an hour.
• If a person has enough strength or moves in a wheelchair, he needs to periodically raise his body, leaning on the armrests.
• Use a special wheelchair. Their design allows you to change the slope and thereby reduce the pressure on the body.
• Buy special mattresses or pillows. We wrote about them above. But the use of pads in the shape of a circle is not recommended: they relieve pressure on a dangerous part of the body, but increase on neighboring ones.
• Adjust the angle of the bed. It should not be more than 30 °. Then the person will not slide down.
• Maintain clean skin. To do this, you need to regularly wash it and dry it with a soft towel to protect it from moisture, sweat, urine or stool. You can also apply a cream to prevent irritation on the body.
• Change bed linen and clothes frequently. Care should be taken not to press on the skin with buttons, thick seams or folds of fabric.
• Perform a daily checkup in order to notice the first signs of pressure ulcers in time.