Ballywho News

Bed sores occur because as a person lies in one position for too long. After sitting idle in this position for an extended period of time, the skin and tissue underneath it become damaged and the result is an open sore. Blood flow decreases in areas of the body that have pressure or friction applied to them, and this is generally how bed sores start. In some cases, patients can develop multiple sores that add to the patient’s troubles. Bed sores are both treatable and preventable. Knowing how to treat and prevent them can help make life a lot easier for bedridden patients.

The best way to approach bed sores is to prevent them from happening. With some simple steps, the likelihood of a patient developing bed sores can be reduced or eliminated.

• Look for potential sores- Inspecting your body or the body of a patient is the first step because it allows you to identify potential problem areas. Check for skin that is: warm, swollen or an abnormal color. These are some of the first signs that a sore is developing. Be sure to check areas where skin and bone are close to each other (elbows, shoulders, etc.) as these are likely places for sores to develop.
• Change Positions- Friction from rubbing against bedding and pressure from lying down all day tend to cause bed sores. Combat this by repositioning the patient periodically. Every few hours adjust the placement of the torso and limbs. This will allow blood to recirculate to problematic areas and relieve ongoing pressure and friction.
• Keep skin clean and dry- Bathing is important for everyone, clean skin is extra important for people who are in bed all day. Eliminating bacteria can help prevent sores from forming and reduce infection if they do develop. Drying the skin after bathing, or periodically if the patient sweats is also important. Adding moist skin to the pressure and friction scenario is a good way to accelerate the formation of a bed sores.
• Have proper equipment- Some patients have to be idle for long periods of time. By acquiring chairs and beds for them that are designed to alleviate pressure and spread their weight evenly, you can reduce the likelihood of bed sores.

Sometimes bed sores are unavoidable. It is a byproduct of some medical conditions and will happen if proper preventative maintenance has been put into place. Proper treatment is vital to the health and comfort of patients.

• Clean the sore- The first step is to clean the infection. Only use a mild antibacterial soap. Be gentle as you wash the area, remember friction may have caused it in the first place. Gently pat the area dry.
• Treat the infection- Use an antibacterial lotion to cover the clean sore. This will do two things: stop damaged skin from cracking and making the wound larger and provide medicine to the infected area to speed up the healing process.
• Bandage the sore- Bandaging requires special attention. You want the antibacterial lotion to keep the sore slightly moist. All of the skin around the sore must stay dry, remember moist skin increases the chance of getting a bed sore and will help one get larger. The bandage should be snug but not tight, once again too much pressure is bad for bed sores.
• Improve the patient’s diet- Patients with bed sores will need a healthy diet. Ensure that they are getting enough calories and protein from their food. Without these factors it is hard for the body to heal.

Knowledge is key to preventing and caring for bed sores. These tips will be helpful for anyone caring for an immobile patient.

If you have questions about bed sores, please contact us at Columbia Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-a-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7694.