![]() ![]() Change bedding and clothing frequently if needed. Use moisture barrier creams to protect the skin from urine and stool. ![]() Do this cleansing routine regularly to limit the skin's exposure to moisture, urine and stool. Wash the skin with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. This helps prevent shearing.Ĭonsider these suggestions for skin care: If possible, do not raise the head of the bed above 30 degrees. They can focus pressure on surrounding tissue. Use cushions or a special mattress to relieve pressure and help make sure that your body is well positioned. Select cushions or a mattress that relieves pressure.Some wheelchairs allow you to tilt them, which can relieve pressure. Raise your body off the seat by pushing on the arms of the chair. If you have enough upper body strength, do wheelchair pushups. Ask for help with changing your position every two hours. Frequently change your position to avoid stress on the skin.Ĭonsider these recommendations related to changing position in a bed or chair:.You can help stop bedsores with these steps: Some complications can be life-threatening. Rarely, a skin ulcer leads to sepsis, which is a life-threatening complication of an infection. A Marjolin ulcer is a long-term, nonhealing wound that can become a type of squamous cell carcinoma. Bone infections, also known as osteomyelitis, can reduce the function of joints and limbs. Joint infections, such as septic arthritis, can damage cartilage and tissue. An infection from a bedsore can burrow into joints and bones. People with nerve damage often don't feel pain in the area cellulitis affects. The skin may change color or look inflamed. It can cause warmth and swelling of the affected area. Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and connected soft tissues. If you're over 70, you're more likely to be affected by bedsores.Ĭomplications of pressure ulcers include: Examples of these types of medical conditions are diabetes and vascular disease. Health problems that can affect blood flow can raise the risk of tissue damage such as bedsores. Medical conditions affecting blood flow. ![]() People need enough fluids, calories, protein, vitamins and minerals every day to maintain healthy skin and stop the breakdown of tissues. If you can't feel pain or discomfort, you won't be aware of warning signs and the need to change position. Spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions can make you lose sensation. Skin becomes more vulnerable with extended exposure to urine and stool. This might be due to poor health, spinal cord injury or another cause. Your risk of getting bedsores is higher if you have a hard time moving and can't change position easily while seated or in bed. As the tailbone moves down, the skin over the bone might stay in place, pulling in the opposite direction. For example, when a bed is raised at the head, a person can slide down in bed. Shear occurs when two surfaces move in the opposite direction. It can make fragile skin more vulnerable to injury, especially if the skin also is moist. Friction occurs when the skin rubs against clothing or bedding. These areas include the spine, tailbone, shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows. For people with limited mobility, pressure tends to happen in areas that aren't well padded with muscle or fat and that lie over a bone. Limited movement can make skin prone to the damage that the pressure causes. Without these key nutrients, skin and nearby tissues are damaged and might die over time. Blood flow is essential to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to tissues. Constant pressure on any part of the body can lessen the blood flow to tissues. The three main things that lead to bedsores are: Limited movement can make skin prone to damage and cause bedsores. Pressure against the skin that limits blood flow to the skin causes bedsores. These include fever, drainage from a sore or a sore that smells bad, as well as warmth or swelling around a sore. Seek medical care right away if you notice signs of infection. If the area doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, contact your healthcare professional. If you notice warning signs of a bedsore, change your position to ease pressure on the area. Heels, ankles and skin behind the knees.Backs of arms and legs where they rest against a chair.įor people who need to stay in bed, bedsores may happen on the:.Common sites of pressure ulcersįor people who use wheelchairs, bedsores often occur on skin over these areas: The degree of skin and tissue damage ranges from inflamed, unbroken skin to a deep injury involving muscle and bone. An area of skin that feels cooler or warmer to the touch than other areas.īedsores fall into one of several stages based on their depth, how serious they are and other features. ![]()
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