Bed Sores – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
A health professional checks the skin for pressure sores. If a sore is found, the professional assigns a stage based on its depth or severity.
This staging guides care and treatment choices. Blood tests help check overall health and look for other risks or infections.
The professional looks for signs like changes in skin color, pain, or open wounds. They also review the person’s health history, cognitive status, and risk factors like limited movement and poor nutrition.
They may use tools like the Braden Scale to assess the risk of developing bedsores.
Doctor’s Key Questions
Healthcare workers often ask:
- When did the sore first appear?
- How much pain does the sore cause?
They also ask about any previous sores and what care is available at home. They want to know how often the person changes positions.
They check for ongoing medical problems or treatments. They also ask about the person’s daily foods and drinks. These answers help create the best care plan.
Treatment
Healthcare Workers Involved
A team of medical experts treats pressure sores. This team usually includes a primary doctor, nurses, wound care specialists, and physical therapists.
Dietitians, skin doctors, and surgeons may also join the team. Social workers support the patient’s emotional needs and help with community resources.
Easing Pressure on Affected Areas
Reducing pressure on the sore is the first step. Patients change positions regularly to take stress off injured skin.
Special beds, mattresses, or seat cushions help protect areas prone to ulcers. These methods lower friction and shear, which often cause deeper injuries.
Wound Cleaning and Bandaging
Good wound care helps healing. If the skin is damaged but not broken, it should be cleaned and dried gently.
Open sores need rinsing with water or mild saltwater. A suitable bandage covers the wound, keeps it moist, and supports new tissue growth. Dressings may include films, foams, gels, gauze, or advanced coverings that control moisture.
Wound Care Table:
| Wound Stage | Recommended Cleansing | Covering Type |
|---|---|---|
| Mild redness | Gentle cleanser, pat dry | Moisture barrier |
| Open sore | Saline rinse | Film, foam, gel |
| Deep ulcer | Saline, possible debridement | Foam, advanced dressing |
Taking Out Unhealthy Tissue
Sometimes, a sore contains dead or infected tissue that needs removal. Healthcare workers rinse, gently scrub, or use tools to remove this tissue.
Removing dead tissue helps the sore heal and lowers the risk of infection.
Additional Methods to Boost Healing
Pain relief is important. Patients may take medicines like ibuprofen or naproxen to ease pain, especially during movement or wound care.
Topical pain relief creams can be used before cleaning the sore. Nutrition matters, too. Patients may get advice to eat more protein, vitamins, and minerals to help tissue repair.
Special creams or frequent dressing changes help keep healthy skin dry and protected.
Other steps:
- Use air-fluidized beds for severe sores
- Apply topical antibiotics if infection risk is high
- Watch for signs of infection like redness, pus, or warmth
Advanced Procedures and Operations
If a pressure injury is very deep or does not heal with other steps, doctors may recommend surgery. Sometimes, they use tissue from the patient’s own body to cover and protect the wound.
This flap operation adds padding over bones and helps prevent sores from returning near pressure points. Surgery is only considered after other treatments have failed.
Coping and Getting Support
Bedsores can affect both physical comfort and emotional health. People who are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or have limited mobility may feel lonely or sad.
Ask a healthcare provider for help. Talk openly about your needs or worries.
Support options include:
Reach out to community services or support groups
Work with social workers or home care teams
Involve family and friends in care
Focus on good nutrition and regular movement
A table outlining helpful resources:
| Need | Who Can Help |
|---|---|
| Nutrition | Primary care physicians, nurses, dietitians |
| Moving safely | Physical therapists, caregivers |
| Emotional support | Social worker, support groups |
| Incontinence care | Nurses, healthcare provider |
