Skin care
Know how to prevent and treat pressure sores
Pressure Sores
Find out how to reduce the risk
Limited mobility coupled with impaired sensation can lead to pressure sores or ulcers, which can be a devastating complication. If not treated, pressure sores can ulcerate, leading to a medical emergency and prolonged hospital stay.
Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, range in severity from mild (minor skin reddening) to severe (deep craters that can infect all the way to muscle and bone). Unrelieved pressure on the skin squeezes tiny blood vessels, which supply the skin with nutrients and oxygen. When skin is starved of blood for too long, tissue dies and a pressure ulcer forms.
Know the causes and how to treat pressure sores
Risk of pressure injuries can be reduced by checking your skin daily, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, by shifting weight, or being turned if you cannot move independently.
What to be aware of
As a result of paralysis, circulation is reduced and less oxygen is available to the skin, lowering the skin’s resistance. The body tries to compensate by sending more blood to the area. This may result in swelling, adding more pressure to the blood vessels.
Sliding around in a bed or chair can cause blood vessels to stretch or bend, leading to pressure ulcers. An abrasion can occur when your skin is pulled across a surface instead of lifted. A bump or fall can cause damage to the skin and not show up right away. Other causes of pressure sores are braces or hard objects that put pressure on your skin. Also, people with limited sensation are prone to skin injuries from burns.
A skin sore begins as a red area on the skin. This reddened area may feel hard and/or hot. For those with darker skin, the area may appear shiny. At this stage, the progression is reversible. The skin will return to its normal colour if the pressure is removed. If the pressure is not removed, a blister or scab may form – this means that the tissue underneath is dying. Remove all pressure over the area immediately.
Pressure sores can be prevented
Skin injuries can become more complicated by hard-to-treat infections, spasticity, additional pressure and even the psychological makeup of the person. In fact, pressure sores have been linked to low self-esteem and impulsive behaviour.
It’s an oversimplification to say pressure sores are always preventable but that’s almost true. With vigilant care and good overall hygiene, skin integrity can be maintained. A wide variety of pressure-relieving support surfaces, including special beds, mattresses, mattress overlays or seat cushions are available to support your body in bed or in a chair. Work with your therapists to know what is available.
Check your skin daily: use a mirror for hard-to-see areas.
