Bedsores

It’s common to see immobile or bedridden people suffer from bedsores, which could lead to serious complications if they aren’t managed.

Bedsores

Bedsores are skin ulcers that manifest when there’s prolonged pressure on the skin. Pressure ulcers usually appear in people who have to stay immobile for a long time, such as being in a wheelchair or in bed due to certain conditions.

Causes and risk factors leading to bedsores

Bedsores occur due to the persistent pressure on the skin, which reduces the blood flow to this region, and therefore, the tissues get damaged. Moisture and friction (when the skin rubs against clothing or bedding) make the skin more fragile, and bedsores develop more easily.

The risk of pressure injuries increases due to the following factors:

• Being immobile for a long time, like prolonged sitting, lying in bed, or using a wheelchair.
• Wearing casts or prosthetic devices.
• Having certain health conditions, such as diabetes, peripheral artery disease, malnutrition, spinal cord injuries, cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, and dementia.
• Being over 70 years old.

Symptoms of bedsores

• Bedsores mostly manifest in the areas where the skin touches the surface directly.
• Pressure ulcers appear in stages and start as skin discoloration and swelling, then blisters and a wound start to manifest. If not managed, the wound continues to go deeper into the skin tissues until it reaches the bone.
• When not managed, bedsores lead to cellulitis, infections in the bone or joint, and sepsis.

Diagnosis of bedsores

• Physical exam.
• Biopsies.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of bedsores

• Taking care of the wound.
• Medications.
• In the late stages, a bedsore might require a skin graft.

Prevention of bedsores

• Changing the position regularly.
• Keeping the skin clean and dry.
• Eating healthy food.
• Daily exercise.
• Avoiding smoking.