Pressure Sores
Pressure Sores is a kind of common skin ulcers, this is due to long period of pressure on a given part of the body. It usually affects paralyzed, disabled, or handicapped person and affects the bony area of the body. When bed sores prevent the blood flow in a certain affected area, it can lead into a serious health concern.
Four stages of Pressure Sores:
1. Dark Skin or redness
2. Abrasion or Blister
3. Skin Loss exposing tissues
4. Skin Loss exposing bones
Pressure Sores may occur in any of the following or depends on the fixed position of the affected person:
- Ankles
- Spine
- Head
- Buttocks
- Heals
- Lower Back
- Hip bones
- Shoulders
Symptoms of Pressure Sores
- Skin lesions
- Pus formation
- Skin moistness
- Skin discoloration
- Bad odor in affected area
- Swelling or inflammation
Causes of Pressure Sores
- Skin Irritation
- Dehydration
- Poor nutrition
- Sedentary lifestyle or immobility
Home Remedies / Treatment for Pressure Sores
Calendula:
In cream form, apply in newly cleaned affected area
Aloe Vera:
In Gel or Cream form, apply in affected area
Lysol:
Put Lysol into a sprayer and spray all over the body of the affected person
Sugar:
Mix sugar with honey and apply in the bed sore wounds
Wheat Germ oil:
In cream form, apply topically in affected areas
Comfrey leaves and slippery elm:
Make a paste by combining equal parts, put in a piece of cloth and tie to the affected area
Witch hazel and goldenseal:
Make a concoction and use to wash the bed sore wounds
Prevention for Pressure Sores
Drink plenty amount of water
Eat healthy and balanced meals
Eat foods rich in vitamin C and Zinc or take oral supplement
Change position of a handicapped person once in every two hours
Use ripple bed or mattress to for continuous flow of blood
Always keep skin dry and clean most of the times
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The best treatment for pressure sores is prevention. In an institutional setting such as a hospital, that is part of regular nursing care. Turning patients every 2-4 hours, and keeping the skin clean and dry. In a home setting it is more difficult, but it still comes down to prevention. Family, friends and the visiting nurse all have a responsibility here. By the time a patient has developed a pressure sore, it is virtually impossible to heal it without intensive nursing.
In the hospital where we were stuck for several days, the beds had an automated system of changing the pressure at regular intervals. It was kind of neat. The mattress of the bed would adjust every few minutes using air pressure. The adjustments kept the patient (my husband) from having too much pressure on any one point for any length of time.
It’s still important to change positions, but this is just one step that helps prevent bed sores.