Pressure sores appear when skin undergoes damage due to application of constant pressure or friction. These are known by various names – bed sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers. About 7-8% of patients who are hospitalized suffer from pressure sores. Pressure sores target the skin thinly stretched over the bones like coccyx (tail bones). In cases of pressure sores, the old saying “prevention is better than cure” is aptly applicable since pressure sores are easier to prevent than to cure.
Degrees of Pressure sores
Stage 1
- Skin discoloration: usually black, red, blue or purple.
Stage 2 - Skin damage especially the top skin layer.
Other Added Complications
Pressure sores, when not treated in a timely manner, can lead to a wide variety of other complications like:
- Septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- Cellulitis (inflammation of body tissue causing swelling and redness)
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone)
Risk of getting a Pressure Sore
- Poor mental condition
- Immobility
- Being restricted to either sitting or lying down
- Incontinence
Prevention
Anyone caring for bed-ridden patients should be aware of pressure sores. To prevent skin damage, relieve the pressure and reduce the time of the pressure application on the same area. To prevent pressure sores, keep in mind the following:
- Check the prone areas daily for redness or discoloration.
- Turn the person regularly to distribute and relieve pressure.
- Use pillows as buffers between the skin and the bed.
- Use good hygiene practices.
- Keep the skin at the correct moisture level, as damage is more likely to occur if the skin is too dry or too moist.
- Use moisturizing creams for dry skin.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
