“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that occur as a result of prolonged pressure or friction. They most commonly occur in areas of the body where the bone is close to the skin, such as the hips, heels, and elbows. Bedridden or wheelchair-bound individuals are at increased risk for developing bedsores. Treatment may include relieving pressure on the affected area, keeping the wound clean and moist, and applying dressings or topical medication to promote healing. In severe cases, surgery may be required. Preventative measures, such as frequent repositioning, proper nutrition, and maintaining good hygiene, can help reduce the risk of developing bedsores.
Bedsores are caused by pressure against the skin that limits blood flow to the skin. Limited movement can make skin vulnerable to damage and lead to development of bedsores.
Three primary contributing factors for bedsores are:
You can help prevent bedsores by frequently repositioning yourself to avoid stress on the skin. Other strategies include taking good care of your skin, maintaining good nutrition and fluid intake, quitting smoking, managing stress, and exercising daily.
Consider the following recommendations related to repositioning in a bed or chair:
Treating pressure ulcers involves reducing pressure on the affected skin, caring for wounds, controlling pain, preventing infection and maintaining good nutrition.
Members of your care team might include:
The first step in treating a bedsore is reducing the pressure and friction that caused it. Strategies include:
Care for pressure ulcers depends on how deep the wound is. Generally, cleaning and dressing a wound includes the following:
To heal properly, wounds need to be free of damaged, dead or infected tissue. The doctor or nurse may remove damaged tissue (debride) by gently flushing the wound with water or cutting out damaged tissue.
Other interventions include:
A large bedsore that fails to heal might require surgery. One method of surgical repair is to use a pad of your muscle, skin or other tissue to cover the wound and cushion the affected bone (flap surgery).