What are bedsores? Bedsores are also known as pressure sores, the medical term is “decubitus ulcers”. This type of sore is an injury to the tissue and skin caused by pressure from sitting or laying for prolonged periods of time. These sores can occur anywhere on the body with the more common areas being heels, ears, elbows, hips, ankles and sometimes the back of the head.
Bedsores are a very common problem for individuals with limited mobility such as people who spend a lot of time in bed or in a wheel chair. These sores can be extremely painful and may lead to serious blood and skin infections.
Remember bedsores are easier to prevent than they are to heal. Healing sometimes taking months and may require hospitalization. Here are some things you can do to prevent bedsores from developing:
1. For those confined to bed, it’s important to alternate the way they lay. Changing positions every two hours is necessary when laying down and every 15 minutes when sitting down. Alternate laying on right and left sides and sitting up if at all possible. Moving the individual around will help stimulate blood flow. Mobility will allow the body to breathe and relieve parts of the body which are constantly under pressure.
2. When laying down place a pillow under the individual’s legs. Make sure the pillow is going “long ways” with under the legs. It’s important NOT to but the pillow underneath the knees only, this could cause circulatory issues to the lower legs.
3. Keep skin dry. Wet skin breaks down faster and will be more prone to developing bedsores. After bathing all areas of the skin must be thoroughly dried.
4. Keep skin moisturized and the body hydrated. There are specialized skin creams for people with limited mobility. Your doctor should be able to recommend some good products to prevent chafing dried cracked skin. Amazon has Sink Sake which is an excellent product formulated especially for bed patients. Its important to pay extra close attention to areas of the body which have constant pressure on them. Lotions should be completely absorbed by the body.
5. Wear soft clothing. Soft, non abrasive clothes will help prevent bedsores. Clothes with buttons, zippers and thick seams should be avoided.
6. Make sure bedding is free of wrinkles.
7. Get an eggcrate mattress pad or mattress overlay. If you have recently been injured or are caring form an injured person, then you should consider getting an egg crate mattress pad. If the injured person is going to be spending a lot of time laying down in bed then an eggcrate topper could be just what the doctor ordered to prevent bed sores from forming. Eggcrate foam mattress pads provide superior weight distribution and reduced pressure to help the skin breathe. These pads are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes.
How do you know if you are developing bedsores? There are signs to look out for and they include: Cracked dry skin, blisters, skin color changes (red, blue or purple), hot spots of skin, and or skin swelling. If you think you have bedsores it’s important to get medical help. Call your doctor as soon as possible.
