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What are pressure sores? — Pressures sores are areas of damage to your skin and the tissue under your skin caused by pressure. This can happen from sitting or lying in the same position for a very long time. "Pressure ulcers" and "bedsores" are other names for this type of damage. Doctors often use the term "pressure-induced injuries." The most common places for pressure sores are where bone is close to the skin. These areas include the ankles, back, elbows, heels, and hips.
Pressure sores can also happen where an object or material is touching or rubbing the skin for a long time. For example, casts, bandages, or oxygen masks can lead to sores.
What does a pressure sore look like? — At first, the sore looks like a red patch of skin. If it gets worse, the skin breaks and the sore looks like a reddish-pink, shallow crater (picture 1).
Some sores look like a blister and can burst. Some severe pressure sores are so deep, you can see muscle or bone. Deep sores can also form scabs.
Who is at risk of pressure sores? — Pressure sores are most common in people who:
●Are older
●Cannot move or shift around easily because of a medical problem
●Are in a hospital or nursing home
Can pressure sores be prevented? — Yes. There are a few things you can do to keep from getting pressure sores.
If you spend a lot of time in a bed, you can lower your chances of getting pressure sores by:
●Turning your body at least every 2 hours (for example, from your back, to 1 side, then the other side)
●Lying with your upper body raised at a slight angle when you lie on your side. This puts less pressure on your hip bone.
●Placing pillows or foam wedges between your ankles and knees. You can also place pillows or foam wedges under your ankles.
Using a special mattress or a pad that goes on top of your mattress might also help. These mattresses or pads can be made of gel, foam, air, or water. There are also special devices that automatically adjust the surface to help relieve pressure when you lie down.
If you spend a lot of time in a chair or are in a wheelchair, you can lower your chances of pressure sores by:
●Doing chair "pushups" by using your arms to raise yourself off the seat. Try to do this at least once every hour.
●Tilting your body forward or to the side so your bottom lifts off the seat at least once every hour
●Using a special seat cushion filled with air, gel, or foam
Taking good care of your skin is also important for preventing pressure sores. To help keep your skin as healthy as possible, you should:
●Check your skin regularly for signs of pressure sores
●Have another person check areas that you cannot see
●Clean your skin regularly with mild soap
●Avoid using hot water to wash your skin
●Use a moisturizing cream. This will help keep your skin from getting dry and flaky.
●Use absorbent pads or wear special absorbent underwear if you have problems with incontinence. (This means leaking urine or bowel movements.) These can help keep your skin dry, but it's important to change them as soon as possible if they become soiled.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse right away if you see or feel any areas where the surface of the skin is broken. If you have nerve damage, you might not be able to feel a pressure sore forming. You might need to ask another person to help you check the areas of your body you cannot see or feel.
How are pressure sores treated? — Your doctor will give you medicine to relieve pain and treat infection if it is present. Your doctor or nurse can also give you special bandages to help the sores heal.
Some people need surgery or other treatments to remove infected or dead tissue in the sore.
Your doctor or nurse can also talk to you about any problems that might have caused your pressure sore. They might suggest changes to help keep you from getting pressure sores in the future.
