How to Treat a Pressure Wound
Pressure wounds, also known as pressure sores or bedsores, are ulcerous patches of skin and tissue that form when sustained pressure cuts off blood flow to that part of the body. Without blood, these areas begin to die. Bedsores often form on a person who sits or lies in one place for too long, meaning that the bed-bound and the handicapped are particularly susceptible, especially on the buttocks, hips and heels. Treatment in the early stages is much simpler than in the latter stages, when surgery may be required.
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Instructions
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Relieve pressure on the wound by moving the patient into a different position. A patient with a bedsore should be moved every 15 minutes. Soft padding such as sheepskin can help reduce friction on the wound during moving.
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Clean the wound. A bedsore in which the skin has not yet been broken can be cleaned with mild soap and water, but a more severe wound should be washed using a basic saline solution and an 18-gauge syringe. Do not use antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine.
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Debride dead tissues, if the bedsore is severe enough. Debridement can be a surgical procedure, but it can also be performed using an irrigation device or by applying topical enzymes that eat away at the necrotic tissue. These procedures should be performed by a doctor or a qualified nurse.
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Dress the wound. According the Mayo Clinic, the kind of dressing will depend on the size and severity of the bedsore but, in general, the wound should be kept moist and the skin surrounding it dry.
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Improve the diet of the patient to help them obtain the nutrients needed to heal the wound. Feed them a diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C and zinc.
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Tips & Warnings
Bedsores can be prevented in several ways: by periodically turning or moving a patient at risk of bedsores at least every two hours; keeping patients well fed, well hydrated, clean and dry; and by using devices that relieve pressure on the bed-bound, such as pillows, heel boots and pressure-relieving mattresses.
* If a bedsore is not treated promptly, potentially life-threatening infections can form. Symptoms of local infection include increased pain, swelling, reddening of the wound, an increase in the amount of fluid accumulating and the wound giving off an unusual smell. If the bedsore at any time shows signs of infection, consult a medical professional immediately, before the infection can spread.
* If, shortly after treatment, the sore does not heal or worsens, immediately seek professional care.
* Bedsores come in four stages: they begin with reddened or darkened skin that doesn't whiten when firmly pressed; next, there is partial skin loss resembling an abrasion, blister or shallow crater; next, all the skin of the pressurized area is lost, with the sore extending into underlying tissue; lastly, the sore extends beyond the underlying tissue into muscle and bone. During these two latter stages, seek professional medical treatment. In some cases, surgery will be necessary to allow the bedsore to heal.
