Bedsores: How To Avoid Them And What To Treat In Bedridden Patients

In order to avoid the appearance of bedsores in lying patients, it is important to turn the patients often, because bedsores appear due to a long stay in the same position.

When a person is in a lying position for a long time, due to illness or age, he may develop bedsores.

This happens due to the fact that the skin is subjected to constant pressure, and in some places redness may appear first, then a blister. And it can turn into an open wound without proper treatment.

To learn how to prevent bedsores, as well as how to treat them, we recommend that you read our article.

What are bedsores?

Patients who are forced to maintain the same position for a long time often suffer from skin lesions known as bedsores.

These superficial injuries can be very painful and make it even more difficult for patients to move.

Bedsores occur due to the pressure exerted by bone tissue on the skin, pressing it against the mattress or pillow.

As a result, the skin remains without blood supply and this leads to the development of necrosis. This condition can be aggravated by increased humidity in this area, for example, if the patient suffers from urinary incontinence.

Wetting the sacrum and surrounding areas is not a good combination.

Bedsores are classified depending on the depth of damage to the skin layers. They range from simple redness to damage to bone tissue.

Bedsores can cause infection and cause suffering, which will only increase if the person does not change the position.

Factors that increase the risk of pressure ulcers are:

• old age
• permanent real estate
• urinary incontinence or lack of control of the excretory system
• malnutrition or dehydration
• slow recovery from illness
• mental disorders (dementia, confusion, Alzheimer's disease)
• use of sedative drugs

How to prevent bedsores?

This problem is very common in elderly patients, so nurses and family members must be vigilant to prevent its occurrence and development.

Here are some tips to help prevent bedsores:

1. Change your posture every 2 or 3 hours

If possible, the patient should be turned on his side so that the blood flow is activated and the skin does not feel pressure in the same place.

For example, you can put pillows and tilt the patient to the right or left.

2. Regularly inspect the most vulnerable places

There are areas of the body where bedsores are most likely to appear: heels, thighs, sacrum, knees, ears and shoulders.

When redness appears, treatment should be started immediately to prevent ulceration.

3. Maintain body hygiene

The longer a person is confined to bed, the more he sweats and gets dirty. A fully equipped bathroom or daily shower is essential to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

• Always use mild soap and do not rub the skin
• Thorough drying with a towel is also important, as moisture accelerates the development of redness.

4. Reduce the pressure

With the help of pillows or special devices, which can be purchased in stores of goods for rehabilitation, you can reduce the pressure of the body on the mattress, sofa or wheelchair.

• For example, when your legs are pressed together, you can place a pillow between your knees.
• There are special pillows that can be used in these cases.

5. Make sure the patient eats well and drinks enough water

A balanced diet, taking into account individual needs, is important for improving health and ensures the supply of all necessary nutrients.

In addition to plain water, infusions or soups, it is recommended to add gelatin to the diet to increase the amount of fluid in the body.

6. Avoid pressure on the heels

You can place a pillow under the calves so that the legs are overhanging, while making sure that the sheets and blankets do not press on the toes.

To do this, cover the patient as loosely as possible.

7. Massage

It is very important to massage 2-3 times a day to increase blood circulation and prevent muscle numbness.

It is recommended to use special lotions or creams.

Never massage bony protrusions, as they can put more pressure on the thin layer of skin that surrounds them.

8. Change clothes and bedding regularly

Make sure the patient's clothing is comfortable.

• It should not be too tight, but not too loose, as in the first case it will not allow the skin to "breathe", and in the second case, it can wrap around the body and exert greater pressure on certain areas.
• Clothing should not have buttons, zippers or rough seams.
• As for bed linen, it is important to change it in a timely manner so that moisture and dirt do not accumulate on it.

9. Exercises

If the patient cannot move on his own, then he should be helped to do exercises, using his legs, arms, neck, etc.

These movements improve blood circulation and reduce pressure on the skin.

Natural remedies to treat mild bedsores

Only in mild cases can bedsores be treated with home remedies. Here's what you might need:

1. Aloe vera

We can use it in the form of a ready-made cream or directly obtain a healing gel from a sheet cut lengthwise.

Aloe vera cools the skin, increases blood flow, prevents infection and instantly relieves irritation.

2. Milk of magnesia

It is sold in pharmacies and serves to reduce redness and swelling. It should be applied with a cotton swab three times a day.

3. Med

Its antibacterial properties help if the ulcer is fresh. In addition, it moisturizes the skin.

Apply some honey on the skin and cover with a bandage.