Pressure Sores

A pressure sore is an ulcer that occurs in the skin and underlying tissues expose to prolonged pressure. These commonly occur in people restricted to beds. Some people are more prone to get pressure sores. these include

1. elderly people
2. dehrdrated patients
3. Obese people
4. diabetics
5. patients with urinary and bowel incomntinet.

Symptoms and Signs

Pressure sores can occur anywhere in the body. However, they are more common over bony prominences including elbows, heels, hips, and the spine.

Initially, you may see discolored skin with pallor and red patches later blisters will appear and skin will ulcerate with time these deepen and become big wounds.

Complications

1. Wound infections and sepsis
2. cellulitis
3. Osteomyelitis

Prevention of pressure sores

Pressure sores are difficult to treat and need to take necessary precautions to prevent occurrence. These include

1. Maintain good hydration
2. Balanced diet
3. Regular change in position
4. Off pressure – Use specialized mattress ex air matress
5. Inspect skin everyday to identify early signs
6. Avoid active and passive smoking

How to treat pressure sores

1. Move patient regularly , this may be onc in 15 minuteds to once in 2 to 4 hours depending on the patient. This improves blood supply to highrisk areas
2. Mattress and cusions- Specialized mattress such as air matress systems equalize pressure destribution and promote healing of pressure sores
3. Specialized dressings such as colloid dressings and alginate dressings
4. Optimize nutritions maintain hydration
5. Surgery and debridements.