Whether you have pressure sores or someone you love is suffering from the condition, the right type of care is vital.
This guide is here to help you learn more about what pressures sores are, how to identify the level of the sore and how best to care for it.
What is a Pressure Sore?
A pressure sore, otherwise known as a pressure ulcer or bedsore, is a type of injury to the skin and underlying tissue primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin.
Anyone can get a pressure sore, but they most commonly happen to people who spend long periods sitting or are confined to a bed or a wheelchair.
Other causes of a pressure sore include diseases that affect blood flow, such as diabetes, having fragile skin, a lack of nutrition, Alzheimer’s disease, or other similar conditions that affect your mental state.
Symptoms of a Pressure Sore
Pressure sores are most commonly grounded into four different stages, stage one being the weakest and stage four being the most severe.
Stage One
This stage involves an area of painful, reddened skin that does not turn white when pressure is applied.
This stage usually occurs before the sore has fully formed.
Stage Two
At this stage, the skin will blister to form an open sore; the area around the sore might be red or irritated.
Stage Three
At this point, the skin develops an open, sunken hole that is known as a crater. Below which, the tissue is damaged.
Stage Four
At this stage, the pressure sore has become so deep that it has caused damage to the muscle and bone.
Other symptoms of a pressure sore can include a sore that is covered by dead skin, which makes judging depth difficult.
Alternatively, the sore might develop deep below the skin or have a blood-filled blister under the skin, which can quickly develop into stage three or four.
It is most common for pressure sores to develop on bony areas such as the elbow, shoulders, back, or buttocks.
Caring For Pressure Sores
At-home care can have a big impact on the state of pressure sores.
However, many things can be done to increase the recovery from a pressure sore.
As medical-supermarket.com shows, there are many pressure relief protectors, pressure care mattresses, and cushions that you can purchase to reduce pain and the development of the sore.
In addition to purchasing specialized cushions and mattresses, it is also recommended that you change your position every fifteen minutes if you are in a wheelchair and every two hours if you are in a bed.
You can also apply a dressing that will help to speed up the healing process and relieve some pressure from the sore.
You should also make sure to clean the sore regularly.
The procedures for cleaning a sore will depend on what stage sore you are suffering from.
For example, you can wash a stage one sore with mild soap and water, whereas you should clean a stage two sore with salt water to remove loose, dead tissue.
Make sure to consult your doctor about the best washing and cleaning procedures.
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