About this topic
A pressure ulcer is sometimes called a pressure sore. It is an area on your skin that breaks down due to pressure on the skin. It may look like a red area, a blister, or an open sore on the skin. This depends on how severe it is. ‚
A pressure sore is most often a result from lying down or sitting in one position for too long. This is often the case if you are not able to change positions easily. A pressure sore often forms on the parts of the body that cover bony areas. The hip, back, buttocks, ankles, and heel are all examples of this kind of place. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Protect your skin by keeping it clean and dry. Also keep it moisturized.
- Do not rub or massage any red areas.
- Take extra care if you have a problem with leaking urine or stool.
- Use a pad or absorbent brief to keep the moisture away from your skin.
- Keep the skin as clean as possible. Wash it with a mild cleaner and warm water. Avoid hot water and soaps that can dry out the skin.
- Pat the area to dry and do not rub.
- Use a wetness barrier cream. Do this each time after using the bathroom or bedpan.
- Ease pressure and change positions often.
- Remove or ease the pressure by using pillows, foam, or gel pads.
- When you change positions, take extra care to keep friction or pressure off of the skin.
- Dry lubricants like powder or cornstarch may help avoid skin injury from moving or turning. Clear film dressings may also help.
- Ask your doctor about special mattresses or cushions for your chair if you have problems changing positions.
- Treat any sores you have right away. Do not let them get worse.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
If you are not able to move around on your own, ask a friend or family member to help you to change your position. You may also need help with checking your skin. Have someone look for signs of redness, blistering, or other skin problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent infection
- Manage pain
- Manage muscle spasms
What foods are good to eat?
- Eat foods high in calories and protein.
- Ask your doctor if you need to take extra vitamins or minerals.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Talk with a diet specialist to help you to plan meals that will meet your nutritional needs and keep your skin healthy.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid staying in one position for too long. If you are able, change positions and shift your weight every 15 minutes or more often. If you need help, have your caregiver turn you every 1 to 2 hours.
- Keep your skin clean, dry, and moisturized.
- Check skin for spots, color changes, or other signs of pressure sore.
- Use things that can help lower pressure or friction. Some of these are pillows, foam padding, gel pads, and powders.
- Exercise and quitting smoking can help blood flow. Ask your doctor about exercises that are right for you and about services to help you quit smoking.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound site; wound site opens up.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my pressure sore.
- I can tell you how I will take extra care to prevent this from happening in the future.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Association of Wound Care ‚
http://www.preventpressureulcers.ca/risk/risk.html ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/pressure-sores.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚