Bedsores Or Pressure Sores: What You Need To Know

Bedsores are painful injuries that occur due to prolonged pressure on the skin. Also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers. They’re usually the result of sitting or lying in the same position for a long time.Bedsore can lead to all kinds of health problems. If you have bedsores, consult with your doctor immediately

Facts on bedsores :

• Bedsores commonly affect people who cannot move easily.

• They are more likely to affect the bony parts of the body.

• The sores develop in stages. Identifying them in the beginning stage allows treatment and reduces the risk of complications.

• Moving patients regularly is key to preventing pressure sores.

Treatment for bedsores:

bedsores treatment is not easy. It depends on the stage and depth of the wound.

• You can clean stage one ulcers with mild soap and water and cover with a moisture-barrier cream.

• More advanced bedsores may require medical care. Your care team may clean the wound with saline and cover it with a proper bandage.

• If a wound becomes infected, you may need to take medicines.

Surgery:

Some bedsores may become so hard that surgical interference is necessary. Surgery aims to clean the sore, treat or prevent infection, decrease fluid loss, and reduce the risk of further complications.

Symptoms of bedsores:

Bedsores are divided into 4 stages

• Stage 1. The area looks red and feels warm to the touch. With darker skin, the area may have a blue or purple color. And the person may also complain that it hurts, burns or itches.

• Stage 2. The area looks more injured and may have an open sore, scrape, or blister. The person complains of pain and the skin around the wound may be discolored.

• Stage 3. The area has a crater-like appearance due to damage under the skin's surface.

• Stage 4. The area is seriously damaged and a large wound is present. Muscles, tendons, bones, and joints can be involved. Infection is an important risk at this stage. 

Prevention:

Bedsores prevention is easier than treating them, but this too can be challenging.

Tips to reduce the risk of bedsores:

• Repositioning and turning every 2 hours

• Daily skin inspections

• keeping the skin healthy and dry

• maintaining good nutrition, to improve overall health and wound healing

• Stop smoking

• Exercises, even if they must be carried out in bed, with assistance, as they increase circulation.