Momma4Life

Pressure ulcers are skin injuries that develop when an area of the body is under constant pressure. You might also hear them called bed sores. They most often affect people with mobility issues who spend a lot of time in a bed or a chair, and they can range from mild redness to deep wounds.

Left untreated, pressure ulcers can become painful and infected, seriously affecting quality of life. In this post, we’ll explore why they happen and how to treat them if you suspect you or a loved one has them.

What are pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcers occur when sustained pressure reduces blood flow to an area of the body, causing the skin and underlying tissues in that area to become starved of oxygen and nutrients.

They often occur in bony areas such as the heels, ankles, hips, tailbone, shoulder blades or elbows. Friction (skin rubbing on bedding) can also contribute to damage.

Who is at risk?

If you or a loved one are bedbound or spend a lot of time in a wheelchair, you might be at high risk of developing these ulcers. Older adults who are underweight tend to be most prone to this health problem. Those with reduced sensation or individuals who cannot change position without help are particularly at risk. 

Common signs to look out for

Pressure ulcers can change in appearance as they become more severe. In the early stages, a pressure ulcer may display these symptoms:

• Persistent redness in an area that does not fade when pressed
• Skin feels warmer or cooler than other areas of skin around it
• Pain, tingling or itching over a bony area

As the ulcer worsens, skin may begin to blister or even form a crater. In extreme cases, muscle and bone can become visible and infection can take hold, which may be accompanied by a foul smell and a fever.

People who are very unwell or at the end of their life can experience ulcers that rapidly change in appearance known as Kennedy terminal ulcers. There is a lot of debate as to the cause of these as this Kennedy terminal ulcer information explains.

How are pressure ulcers treated?

Treatment depends on the ulcer’s stage, size, location and the patient’s overall health, but generally the following treatment methods will be used:

• Relieving pressure: Healing a pressure ulcer starts with removing the pressure - regularly changing position and using specialist pillows and mattresses is recommended.
• Wound care: The wound needs to be cleaned and an appropriate dressing needs to be used. For severe ulcers, a procedure called debridement may need to be performed to remove dead tissue.
• Managing infection: Antibiotics may be needed if there are signs of infection.
• Pain management: Painkillers may also be needed if an ulcer is causing a lot of pain.

Can pressure ulcers be prevented?

Pressure ulcers can often be prevented by encouraging regular movement - those who are bedbound may need to be regularly turned, and chairs shouldn’t be sat in for more than several hours.

Using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions can also help. Cleaning and moisturising bony areas of skin can also reduce the risk of these ulcers developing.