Pressure ulcers, sometimes referred to as bedsores, can develop when someone has placed too much pressure on a certain part of the body for too long of a time period. Pressure ulcers most commonly occur in bedridden patients who have been ordered by their doctors to stay on bed rest. Other potential victims of this uncomfortable ailment are people who use wheelchairs. Bedridden patients should take steps to change positions frequently and keep their skin clean and dry in order to prevent bedsores from developing. But if it's too late for prevention, then the next step is to make sure the pressure ulcers are properly treated before they get any worse. Here are some treatment tips that should benefit anyone who has developed a pressure ulcer or bedsore.
Pressure sores can be detected in an early stage if patients regularly inspect their skin. The first warning sign of a bedsore is red or discolored skin. If the skin remains discolored even after the pressure is removed, this is likely the beginning of a pressure ulcer.
If a pressure ulcer goes untreated, the skin will break and a wound will develop. This can be quite painful and it will get progressively worse over time without treatment.
If the pressure ulcer has not yet broken the skin, it will eventually heal and go away provided the patient can keep all pressure off the affected area. This may require careful repositioning of the body. That said, be sure not to stay in any new position for too long as this could lead to another pressure ulcer developing elsewhere.
A bed sore will not be infected while the skin remains unbroken. But once a wound develops, it may be possible for bacteria to find its way into the area, especially if the bed is not kept dry and clean. If a patient notices a pressure ulcer in the beginning stages, it is critical to keep the skin, bed and the patient's clothes as dry and clean as possible.
If a pressure ulcer is allowed to continue developing, it may be possible for the wound to eventually extend down into muscle tissue or even bone in extreme cases. If this or a bad infection occurs, surgery will likely be required.
If the patient is developing bed sores, it is recommended that a special bed or pressure-relieving mattress be used. If the patient is at a hospital these devices may be readily available but if the patient is at home, they may need to be ordered through a health care provider.
While bedridden, it is important to maintain a healthy diet with lots of calories including protein, vitamins and minerals. If bed sores develop, the patient should pay extra close attention to what is going into their body and their water intake should be increased.
The length of time it takes to treat a pressure ulcer really depends on how long it was allowed to develop before treatment began. A pressure ulcer in its early stages can clear up in a few days. A pressure ulcer that has developed to an advanced stage could take months or even years to fully heal.