Doctors reveal “pressure sores” are a major problem for bedridden patients caused by lying in the same position for a long time. They recommend 4 stages of pressure sores. Ways to move and change positions to reduce health problems, and how to clean pressure sores properly.
A major problem that is often found in bedridden patients is pressure sore wounds (Pressure Sore Wound or Bed Sore Wound), which are injuries that occur on the skin. And subcutaneous tissue from prolonged pressure on the tissue, which results in reduced blood flow in that area, causing the tissue to lack oxygen and gradually die.
4 stages of pressure sores
Correct assessment of the stage of pressure sores will help ensure appropriate care or treatment to prevent further progression and possible complications.
- Stage 1: The skin is red and does not fade when the wound is pressed. The skin is not broken and there may be some slight pain. Detecting a wound at this stage is very important because it can prevent it from progressing to a more serious stage.
- Stage 2 : Some skin damage occurs. The wound appears as a shallow, dry depression or blister.
- Stage 3: The wound is deep into the fat layer. แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ There is complete skin loss. Yellow necrotic tissue may be present. There may also be cavities under the skin. The wound at this stage is more severe. Special care must be taken to prevent infection and spreading.
- Stage 4: The wound is deep to the bone, tendon or muscle. There is complete loss of skin , with yellow or black dead tissue. There is a risk of bone infection (osteomyelitis) and there are often pockets under the skin. The severity of the wound at this stage can cause severe pain and require urgent treatment.
Who is at risk of pressure sores?
Areas with a high risk of pressure sores are areas where bones press against the skin and must directly support weight or have repeated pressure in that area. This often occurs in bedridden patients who have to lie in the same position for a long time. Each sleeping position affects the development of pressure sores as follows:
- Sleeping on your back can cause sores on your heels, buttocks, back, back of your hips, and back of your neck.
- Sleeping on your side can cause sores on the side of your hip, buttocks, elbows, and knees.
- Sleeping on your stomach can cause injuries to your collarbone and knee joints.
How to prevent pressure sores in bedridden patients
In addition to changing positions at least every 1-2 hours to reduce pressure and stimulate blood circulation, patients should also exercise or move various parts of their body as follows:
- Move your hands, spreading each finger apart, count 1-20, do it on both sides.
- Move the arm by grasping the patient’s elbow and wrist and extend the arm out to the side and rotate it over the head, holding for 20 seconds, then rotate it down.
- Move the elbow by folding the patient’s arm towards the body and hold for a count of 1-20, then release.
- Move the hips and legs by grasping the patient’s joints and heels. Spread the legs out about 45 degrees and bring them back in.
- Move the ankle by grabbing the patient’s shin and sole, pushing the sole of the foot up towards the patient and then pushing down.
- Move the body, have the patient bend both knees, rotate both knees to touch the bed on the left and right sides, repeat about 20 times.
How to reduce pressure
- Use pillows by placing them under areas that are subject to pressure, such as the head, neck, back, hips, heels, and elbows.
- Use an air mattress to distribute the patient’s weight and reduce pressure. It has an electric pump system that continuously inflates and deflates the mattress. However, be careful in patients with thin skin, as it may cause more friction.
- Use Memory Foam or Silicone Gel cushions to distribute weight and reduce pressure, allowing the skin to receive more oxygen and breathe better.
How to properly clean a pressure sore
Cleaning pressure sores is an important step in preventing infection and promoting wound healing. The steps are as follows:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or use alcohol gel.
- If the wound is not severe, use 9% saline to clean the wound from the inside out, approximately 1 inch away from the edge of the wound. In the case of deep wounds or cavities, use a syringe to inject saline into the cavity 2-3 times until clean.
- Avoid using alcohol, betadine, or hydrogen peroxide as these can damage or irritate new tissue.
- Apply medication as recommended by your doctor. Different types of pressure sores require different medications.
- Choose a dressing that is appropriate for the condition of the wound. For example, if the wound contains a lot of fluid, an absorbent dressing such as Silicone Foam Dressing or Polyurethane Foam Dressing should be used.
- Change the bandage frequently and change it immediately if there is oozing or contamination.
In addition to the above methods, it is important to maintain skin hygiene by keeping it dry and clean, eating foods high in protein, vitamins A, C, and E, which help in wound healing, drinking enough water, and checking the patient’s skin daily, especially areas with high pressure. If redness is found that does not fade, immediately reduce the pressure on that area.