What is a Pressure Ulcer?
You may know pressure ulcers by their most common name pressure sores. They occur when you lie down or sit in one position too long and the weight of your body against the surface of the bed or chair cuts off the blood supply. You can get them if you are on bed rest or in a wheelchair.
Pressure sores can be staged based on their depth. When caught early, they can heal in a few days with minimal discomfort. Without treatment, they can worsen. Signs of improvement include the sore becoming smaller and pink tissue appearing on the sides.
A pressure ulcer is also known as bedsores, pressure sore, or decubitus ulcers. It is an open wound on your skin. Pressure sores often occur on the skin overlying bony areas. The following are the most common places for a pressure ulcer:
- Hips
- Back
- Ankles
- Buttocks
This condition is common among people who:
- Are older have reduced mobility
- Spending long periods in bed or a wheelchair
- Cannot move certain parts of the body without help
- You have fragile skin
The condition is treatable, but deep chronic ulcers can be difficult to treat. The specific prognosis depends on several factors, including the underlying medical conditions, as well as the stage of the ulcer.
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Get A Second OpinionStages of Pressure Ulcer
Pressure ulcers develop in four stages:
- The skin feels warm to the touch. There may be a colour change, such as redness, and the area may itch.
- A painful open sore or blister occurs, surrounded by discolored skin .
- The lesion takes on a crater-like appearance due to tissue damage below the surface of the skin.
- There are severe skin and tissue damage, possibly with an infection. Muscles, bones, and tendons would likely be noticeable.
- An infected sore takes longer to heal. The infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause significant damage.
Symptoms of Pressure Ulcer
- Redness: Persistent red or discolored skin, especially over bony areas, that doesn’t fade when pressure is relieved.
- Pain: Tenderness or pain in the affected area, which may worsen with pressure.
- Swelling: Swelling or increased warmth around the area.
- Blisters: Fluid-filled blisters or sores on the skin.
- Open Wounds: Open or broken skin that may appear as a shallow sore or deep wound.
- Drainage: Discharge of fluid or pus from the ulcer.
- Odor: Foul-smelling odor from the wound, which may indicate infection.
Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and promote healing
Causes of Pressure Ulcers
Anyone who stays in one position for a long time is at risk of developing pressure sores. They often form in people who need help to change positions. A person who develops a pressure ulcer can:
- Spending a lot of time sitting in a chair or lying in bed
- Wearing a prosthesis or surgical device
- Wear ill-fitting shoes or clothing with elastic bands
- These sores form when tissues and blood vessels are compressed and then deformed
- This can result in a loss of circulation, which can lead to tissue death and infection. Sores can result from significant pressure for a short period of low pressure for a longer period
Diagnosis of Pressure Ulcer
Medical staff can take samples of the tissue and fluid from the pressure ulcer to look for bacteria or cancer. They may also do blood cultures, bone scans, or other tests, depending on the severity of the ulcer. Also, they will assess the condition of the ulcer based on:
- The size of the pressure ulcer and the depth of the crater
- What type of tissue is affected by the ulcer: skin, bone, or muscle
- The color of the ulcer and the surrounding skin
- The death of tissue caused by the ulcer
- The presence of infection, bleeding, or a bad smell
Risk factors of Pressure Ulcer
The following can increase the chances of sores developing:
- Not being able to move without help
- Advanced age, as the skin becomes thinner and more fragile
- Incontinence, which raises the risk of skin injury and infection
- Low or high body mass index, or BMI, both of which can increase pressure
- A low body weight, which leads to less padding around the bones
- A condition, such as diabetes, that reduces the sensation of pain
- Prolonged wound healing, as can also happen with diabetes
- Poor blood circulation
- Reduced mental awareness
Pressure Ulcer Treatment
Depending on the stage of the ulcer, treatment may include some or all of the following:
- Clean the ulcer and put a dressing on the wound
- Meticulous wound care with frequent dressing changes
- Reduce pressure in the area by repositioning and using support surfaces
- Antibacterial drugs to treat the infection
- Pain relievers to relieve discomfort
- Debridement surgery to remove dead ulcer tissue
- For a quicker recovery, change your diet and drink more water
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Book an AppointmentHow can Prevention be Achieved?
- Change the person's position every two hours
- The use of support elements such as pillows or foam pads reduces pressure on pressure points
- Keep skin clean and dry and apply moisturizing lotions made especially for fragile skin
- Provide the person with nutritious and balanced meals and 8-10 glasses of water a day
- Pain relievers to relieve discomfort
- Help the person do daily range-of-motion exercise
- Clean carefully after urination or defecation and apply a cream formulated for fragile skin if necessary
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Causes Pressure Ulcers?
Pressure ulcers are caused by sustained pressure that is exerted on a particular part of the body. This pressure cuts off the blood supply to the affected area of the skin.
2. What is the fastest way to heal a pressure ulcer?
Cleaning. If the affected skin is not broken, wash it with a mild cleanser and pat it dry. Clean open sores with water or a saltwater (saline) solution every time you change the dressing. Put on a bandage. A bandage helps the wound heal quicker by keeping it moist.
3. What bed do the sores look like?
Symptoms involve skin that has been broken, has an open wound, or appears to be a pus-filled blister. Swelling, warmth, and/or redness are present. The sore could likely ooze clear fluid or pus.
4. Is petroleum jelly good for pressure sores?
Cover with a light gauze dressing and a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Make sure to keep urine and feces away from the affected areas.
5. Can you get sepsis from pressure sores?
Localized infections (infection in the immediate area), cellulitis, and osteomyelitis are all common infections associated with pressure ulcers. These and other infections can lead to sepsis.
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