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Treating Bed Sores

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Definition of Bed Sores

Bedsores are more accurately called pressure sores or pressure ulcers; they are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop from sustained pressure. The pressure creates a circulation problem causing the pressure point affected tissue to die.

Bed sores are a serious matter, and in the case of nursing home or chronic injuries can be a cause of death from infection and other complications resulting from untreated or severe bed sores.

Classification of Bed Sores

The Mayo Clinic refers to bed sores in one of the four categories rate by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.

Stage One: This is the initial stage of bed sores, usually beginning as red spot of skin that may be painful, warm, spongy or itch. Stage one bed sores are superficial and with proper care will go away shortly after the pressure is relieved.

Stage Two: Skin loss may occur at this level, either the top or outermost layer of skin (epidermis) or the deeper layer (dermis) or both. The wound at this stage will look like an open sore, blister or abrasion with a purple or red discoloration around the wound.

Stage Three: The bed sore at stage three is a serious wound, with extended damage to the tissue well below the skin. The wound can appear to be crater like.

Stage Four: This is the most serious and advanced of the stages. Large scale loss can occur here in skin as well as damage to muscle, bone and even joints or tendons.

Causes of Bed Sores

Sustained pressure when skin and tissue are trapped between bone and rigid surfaces, like a wheelchair or bed causes blood restriction which can in turn will deprive the tissue of oxygen and nutrients.

Friction can also create bed sores, while shifting positions or turning the patient will reduce the likelihood of bed sores, the pressure or friction from the turn can cause abrasions or damage that may also result in bed sores.

Shear causes bed sores when the skin moves one way and the bone moves another. Sliding down in bed or raising the head of the bed more than 30 degrees can create shear.

Treatment for Bed Sores

In most cases the best treatment is the prevention of bedsores with frequent movement of the patient as well as using support materials like foam, air filled or water filled devices for support instead of pillows or rubber rings which can create more pressure.

Cleaning the wound properly is essential to prevent infection, due to the serious potential threat of bedsores a physician should be contacted when they occur. Dressings, hydrotherapy and antibiotics may be prescribed as bed sore treatment options with surgical options used in more advanced stages.

Natural Healing for Treating Bed Sores

A healthy diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals is essential to improving wound healing. Vitamin C and zinc levels can be especially important. Daily exercise and movement can improve skin quality and tone making it less susceptible to wounds.

Home remedies including plasters, ointments and other topical bed sore treatments may increase the risk of infection, please check with your physician before treating any open wound.

Article Last Modified Sunday, October 4, 2009

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Treating Bed Sores

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