Pressure Ulcer

 Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) are injuries to the
skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the
skin. They can happen to anyone, but usually affect people confined to
bed or who sit in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time.
 Cause

 A bed sore appears when the blood circulation is being cut-off. When the
skin dies, it begun to become red, painful and turns into color purple. The
bed sore can extend up to muscle to the bone. The ulcer can affect every
part of the body such as, hip, ankle, heel, and elbow.
 Pressure ulcer are treatable but when it comes to late it can lead to life
threatening. Bed sores are usually caused by Pressure: if there is a pressure
on the skin and the bone the skin and the tissue will not be able to receive
an adequate blood circulation.
 Signs

 Initial Signs of a pressure ulcer contains:

 The area of the skin changes its color – individuals having light outer layer (peel) is like to
develop red patches, whilst persons with dark skin have a tendency to acquire purple or
blue patches. When discolored spots put a pressure and it is not turning back to white.
Having the sense of warm, soft or firm feeling in the affected area of the epidermis. Ache
and irritation in the area of the skin which being affected.

 Future Signs

 At first, epidermis might not look destroyed, but if the pressure ulcer permeate it can
develop: An open injury in the skin or water blister - categorized two pressure ulcers. A
deep lesion to the extent that it reaches the deeper covers of the epidermis – categorized
three pressure ulcers. A very deep wound that could reach the bone and muscle –
categorized four pressure ulcers.
Stages of Pressure Ulcer
 Prevention

 Methods to prevent the worsening of pressure ulcers and to treat as well

include:
 Speeding up the rejuvenating process and it is helpful to soothe the pressure by
putting special bandages. Dressing can help pressure sore to heal the wounds
by putting some pad or bandage to the affected areas of the skin. Frequent
moving and changing of patient’s position, a person needs to turn or to
reposition for every 2 hours because the blood flow of blood is not circulating.
Specially designed static foam cushions which are inflatable providing a
constant flow of air are also useful. The patient needs a comfortable place so
they can rest in a way that their body needs and to avoid pressure sore. Having
a balanced diet, and eat healthy foods. Having a proper healthy life style or
balancing diet can also help to reduce ulcer especially when the flow of the
blood is not functioning, the food that we eat is also not absorb by the body or
there is no more nourish to the skin that is why the bed sore id develop. Proper
procedure of cleaning the wound as well as removing the injured flesh
(debridement). Debridement a therapy that extracts the dead tissue from
wounds including burns to help improve the skin.