Decubitus ulcers (bedsore), also known as bedsores or pressure sores, are painful points that appear on the body when too much pressure is applied to an area. This can quickly become serious, resulting in open sores that must be treated. In the most extreme cases, pressure ulcers may require surgery. There are a number of things that can be done to treat existing pressure ulcers and prevent new ones from forming.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Diagnosing Decubitus Ulcers
Step 1. Check for skin discoloration
Pay close attention to all parts of your body, especially the areas that lean against the bed or wheelchair. Use a mirror, or ask someone to help you see the back of your body, which may be difficult for you to see on your own.
Also check for skin that feels hard to the touch
Step 2. Check for bleeding or other fluids
If a pressure sore is bleeding or oozing fluid, you may have a serious ulcer, and you should see a doctor immediately to prevent further damage and relieve pain.
An unpleasant odor may indicate an infection in the wound, so you should see a doctor immediately
Step 3. Check your condition
Before visiting the doctor, prepare answers to various questions that the doctor may ask. These questions may include:
- How long have the skin changes been going on?
- How sore is the skin in the area?
- Do you have recurring fevers?
- Have you had bedsores/decubitus ulcers before?
- How often do you change position or move?
- What is your diet like?
- How much water do you drink every day?
Step 4. Visit a doctor
Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, the condition of the wound area, your diet, and other topics. The doctor will also perform a physical exam to examine your body and any areas that appear painful, discolored, or hard to the touch. The doctor may also take urine and blood samples to confirm certain conditions and check your overall health.
Step 5. Determine the seriousness of the pressure ulcer
There are 4 stages of pressure ulcers. Stages I and II are not very serious and can be treated and cured. Stages III and IV require medical assistance and possibly surgical surgery in order to heal properly.
- Stage I: The skin is discolored, but there are no open sores. For lighter skin tones, the skin may turn red; for darker skin tones, the skin may turn blue, purple, or even white.
- Stage II: There is an open wound that is still shallow. The edges of the wound are infected or have dead tissue.
- Stage III: The wound is wide and deep. The wound is deeper than the bottom of the top layer of skin, that is, until it reaches the layer of fat tissue. The wound may ooze fluid or pus.
- Stage IV: The wound is large and affects several layers of skin tissue. Muscle or bone may be exposed, and there may be eschar, which is dark matter that indicates necrotic (dead) tissue.
Method 2 of 4: Supporting and Protecting the Body
Step 1. Release pressure on the area of pain
If you have developed pain, change your position, and make sure you don't press on the area for at least 2-3 days. If the redness still doesn't go away, see your doctor to consider additional treatment options.
Step 2. Change body position regularly
If you cannot get out of bed or in a wheelchair, you will need to change positions frequently throughout the day to relieve pressure on the painful area and prevent pressure ulcers from forming. Change body position every 2 hours if in bed or every 1 hour if in a wheelchair. This will relieve the pressure that has built up on certain areas of the body, thus preventing the pressure ulcer from getting worse.
Step 3. Try to stay as active as possible
Although people who cannot get out of bed or wheelchairs may not be as active, their bodies can still be moved. It will prevent pressure from building up in certain areas of the body and also increase blood flow throughout the body. Activity can also improve mental health, which is an important component of maintaining overall health.
Step 4. Use supporting surfaces and protective pads
The key to reducing the risk of pressure ulcers is to reduce the pressure that builds up on certain body parts. Using a special pillow made of foam or filled with air or water can help. With a similar idea, protective pads can help, especially between the knees or under the head or elbows.
Some support products, such as donuts, may actually increase the risk of developing a pressure ulcer. Talk to your doctor to determine which product is best for you
Step 5. Keep blood circulation adequate
Decubitus ulcers occur in part because of insufficient blood flow to the skin area. When there is pressure on the skin, blood vessels become blocked. Maintain good blood flow by drinking plenty of water, not smoking, and changing body positions frequently.
Having diabetes may also contribute to low blood circulation. Talk to your doctor to plan ways to improve blood circulation
Step 6. Choose comfortable clothes
Wear clothes that are neither too tight nor too loose, both of which can cause friction and irritation. Change clothes every day to make sure your skin is clean too. Wear clothes made of cotton that do not have thick seams.
Step 7. Change sheets frequently
For people who can't get out of bed, lying on clean sheets will ensure bacteria don't aggravate the pressure ulcer. Bed sheets can also become wet from sweat and irritate the skin. Changing the sheets frequently will help eliminate this risk.
Step 8. Control the pain with ibuprofen
Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce pain. Choose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) instead of aspirin, acetaminophen, or opioids.
Take ibuprofen before or after you change your position, during a debridement procedure, or while the wound is being cleaned. Taking ibuprofen can help relieve any pain you may feel
Method 3 of 4: Skin Care
Step 1. Check the skin daily
Decubitus ulcers can appear quickly, and need to be treated as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to body parts that lean against a bed or wheelchair, or that rub against other body parts or clothing.
Pay particular attention to the lower back, tailbone, heels, hips, buttocks, knees, back of head, elbows, and ankles
Step 2. Keep skin clean
For early-stage pressure ulcers, gently wash the wound area with soap and water. Pat the area dry (don't rub) with a towel. Pay special attention to skin that is prone to sweating or wetness. Use a moisturizing lotion to prevent dry skin.
Decubitus ulcers that appear on the buttocks or near the genitals may be susceptible to exposure to feces or urine. Use a protective and/or waterproof bandage on the ulcer area to eliminate this risk
Step 3. Clean the wound, and cover it with a bandage
The wound should be cleaned and bandaged with a new bandage. The wound can be irrigated with saline solution (salt water solution) for cleaning before re-bandaging. Talk to a medical professional before performing the procedure; a medical professional may perform the procedure for you.
- Do not use antiseptics such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide on pressure ulcers; because it can actually hinder the healing process.
- There are many different types of bandages or covering materials that can be used. Clear films or hydrogels can help stage I pressure ulcers heal faster and should be replaced every 3-7 days. Other bandages can allow more air circulation or protect against other fluids such as stool, urine, or blood.
Step 4. Go through the debridement procedure
Debridement is the process of removing dead tissue, which is performed by a doctor. Debridement is a relatively painless procedure, as dead tissue has absolutely no living nerves, although sensitivity may still be present because dead tissue lies adjacent to living nerve tissue. Advanced decubitus ulcers may require this procedure. Talk to your doctor to determine the best approach to heal a pressure ulcer.
Step 5. Treat the infection with antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic that can be applied directly to the pressure sore to stop the infection from spreading and help the body heal itself. Your doctor may also give you oral antibiotics, especially if the ulcer is at an advanced stage.
If you have osteomyelitis, or a bone infection, you may need to take long-term antibiotics. In addition, it may also require greater medical action
Step 6. Monitor the healing process of the pressure ulcer
Closely monitor the ulcer healing process to ensure healing occurs and does not get worse. If the ulcer doesn't seem to be starting to heal, see a doctor immediately.
Method 4 of 4: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamins
Eating plenty of healthy nutrients is important for keeping the body healthy and preventing pressure ulcers. If you are healthy, your body can heal pressure ulcers more quickly and prevent new ulcers from forming. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, especially iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C, you may have a greater risk of pressure ulcers. Take vitamin supplements in addition to eating foods rich in vitamins.
Eating lots of protein will also help keep your body healthy
Step 2. Keep yourself hydrated
Drink plenty of water every day. Men should drink about 13 cups of 30 ml of fluid per day, and women should drink about 9 cups of 30 ml of fluids per day. That doesn't mean you can only get fluids from water. Many foods are high in water content, and healthy foods can provide up to 20% of your daily fluid intake. Eat foods that also have a high water content, such as watermelon, to increase your water intake.
- You can also get extra hydration by sucking on ice cubes throughout the day as well as drinking water.
- Do not drink alcohol, because it can dehydrate the body.
Step 3. Maintain a healthy weight
If you are underweight, you have less cushion to protect certain areas of your body that are prone to developing pressure ulcers. The skin can break more easily. Being overweight can also cause similar problems, as it can make it difficult for you to change your body position to relieve stress on certain body parts.
Step 4. Don't smoke
Smoking contributes to dry skin, and is generally considered an unhealthy habit. In addition, smoking also reduces blood circulation, a condition that can contribute to an increased risk of pressure ulcers.
