How to Care: Pressure Sores
September 6th, 2006 by RespiteMatch.com
Keywords
bed sores, pressure sores, pressure ulcers, skin ulcers
Glossary
Pressure sore: A skin ulcer, also called a bed sore.
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Pressure sores or bed sores are painful skin ulcers that form when constant pressure on a part of the body shuts down the blood vessels feeding that area of skin. The resulting damage first appears on the skin surface as a red or dark patch. As the pressure sore progresses, the skin will break down to form blisters, dead skin, and ultimately infect underlying tissues, bones and joints. As little as two hours of sustained pressure will trigger skin damage. Skin damage can also be exacerbated by friction and moisture. The surface damage is just the tip of the iceberg; the real damage lies beneath the skin.
In the early stages, pressure sores can be treated at home by relieving the pressure, cleaning the sores and applying the appropriate dressing. In the later stages of severity, professional medical treatment, possibly, surgery, will be necessary. Pressure sores are especially prevalent on the lower back and buttocks, and on bony protruding areas, such as shoulders, hips, knees, heels and ankles. People who are bed-bound or in wheelchairs are particularly susceptible.
Things You Should Know
Pressure sores
are caused by pressure, friction and moisture
prolong the amount of time a person spends in the hospital
increase risk of infection
increase mortality
represent an extra $10,000 a year in medical and nursing care costs, per person
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Risk Factors for Pressure Sores
age
immobility
incontinence
malnutrition and dehydration
diseases and disorders that slow healing or lessen mental awareness
diseases and disorders such as confusion or dementia that lessen mental awareness and may prevent a person from feeling the discomfort of a harmful body position
medications, particularly sedatives
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Things to Look For
Warning signs of pressure sores
discoloured, torn or swollen skin, especially over bony areas
signs of infection — skin warmth, swelling, odour, pus
Seek professional care and treatment immediately for sores that are getting worse, not healing, or showing signs of infection.
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Four stages of severity of pressure sores
reddened or darkened skin that will not turn white when firmly pressed
partial skin loss that may appear as an abrasion, blister or shallow crater
full skin loss extending to underlying tissue
full skin loss extending beyond the underlying tissue to muscle and bone
