Bed Sore

Bed sores • Bed sores can occur when a person is bedridden,unconscious,unable to sense pain ,or immobile.bed sores are ulcers that occur on areas of the skin that are under pressure from lying in bed,sitting in wheelchair,and/or wearing cast for a prolonged period of time. • known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers

Why does a bed sores develop? • A bed sores develops when blood supply to the skin is cut off for more than two to three hours. • As the skin dies,the bed sores first starts as a red painful area,which eventually turns purple.left untreated,the skin can break open and become infected.

• A bed sore can become deep, extending into the muscle. Once a bed sore develop,it is often very slow to heal.Bed sores often occur in the buttocks area( on the sacrum or iliac crest),or on the heels of the feet.

Prevention • Bed sores can be pevented by inspecting the skin for areas of redness(the first sign of skin breakdown). • Other methods of preventing and preventing progression of existing bed sores include the following; • frequent turning and repositioning. • providing soft padding in wheelchairs and beds to reduce the pressure. • providing good skin care by keeping the skin clean and dry.

Treatment for bed sores • Treatment may be more difficult once the skin is broken,and may include the following: • Removing the pressure on the affected area • Protecting the wound with medicated gauzeor other special dressings • Keeping the wound clean

• Transplanting healthy skin to the wound area • Medication(i.e.,antibiotics to treat infections) • Antibiotic ointments • Surgical removal of dead tissue