Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Diagnosing pressure ulcers
• Method 2 of 4: Caring for the body and protecting against pressure ulcers
• Method 3 of 4: Treating the Skin
• Method 4 of 4: Changing Your Diet
• Tips
• Warnings

Pressure ulcers, also known as traumatic diphtheria, are painful areas on the body that are caused by prolonged pressure on those areas. They can be serious and sometimes lead to open wounds that must be healed. In more serious cases, pressure sores require surgery. There are several ways to treat and prevent pressure ulcers.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Diagnosing pressure ulcers

1. 1 Watch for changes in skin color. Examine the entire body carefully, paying particular attention to the areas of skin that are in contact with the bed or wheelchair. Grab a mirror or ask someone to help you examine hard-to-reach areas of your back.
   • Also check to see if the leather is hardened.
2. 2 Check for bleeding or other discharge. If the pressure sores are bleeding or fluid is leaking, your situation may be serious enough that you should consult your doctor immediately to prevent the condition from getting worse and to alleviate the pain of the pressure sores.
   • A foul odor may indicate an infection; in this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.
3. 3 Observe your condition. Before contacting your doctor, you need to prepare yourself by answering in advance the various questions that he may ask you. Questions include the following:
   • How long has the skin color changed?
   • How painful are the areas of the skin?
   • Have you had fever attacks?
   • Have you had bedsores before?
   • How often do you change position or move?
   • What you eat?
   • How much water do you drink every day?
4. 4 See your doctor. The doctor will ask you questions about your health, the nature of the inflamed areas, diet, and other aspects. The doctor will also do a physical exam by examining your body and paying particular attention to painful areas, skin color, and hardening. The doctor will also take urine and blood tests to determine your health status and identify abnormalities.
5. 5 Determine the severity of the pressure sores. There are 4 stages of pressure ulcers.Stages 1 and 2 are not too severe and such pressure ulcers are easy to treat. Stages 3 and 4 require medical attention and, in some cases, surgery for full recovery.
   • Stage I: Noticeable skin discoloration but no open wound. If the skin is light, it may be slightly reddish; if the skin is dark, it can be blue, purple, or white.
   • Stage II: There is an open wound, but not too deep. The edges of the wound are infected or the skin is keratinized.
   • Stage III: The wound is open and deep. The wound affects not only the top layer of the skin, but also the fatty layer. It may ooze fluid or pus.
   • Stage IV: The wound is large and affects several layers of the skin. Muscles and bones can be exposed. There may also be sores on the skin that indicate keratinized (dead) skin cells.

Method 2 of 4: Caring for the body and protecting against pressure ulcers

1. 1 Relieve stress from existing pressure ulcers. If you have pressure sores, take a different position and do not return to the previous position for at least 2-3 days. If the redness persists, talk to your doctor about additional treatments.
2. 2 Change position often. If you are confined to a bed or a wheelchair, you may need to change your position more often during the day to relieve stress on painful areas and prevent pressure ulcers from developing. Change your position every 2 hours in bed and every hour in a wheelchair. This will help relieve tension that builds up on certain areas of the skin and prevent the condition from getting worse.
3. 3 Be as active as possible. You need to constantly move, even if you are bedridden or in a wheelchair and cannot be very active. This will release tension in certain areas and promote blood flow. Physical activity also improves mental performance and is the key to overall health.
4. 4 Use support surfaces and protective padding. This will help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers by reducing tension in certain parts of the body. Use special cushions made of foam or filled with air or water. Protective padding also helps, especially in the areas between the knees and under the head or elbows.
   • Certain support devices sometimes increase the risk of pressure ulcers. Talk to your doctor to determine which support surfaces to choose.
5. 5 Maintain normal blood circulation. Pressure ulcers develop where blood flow is impaired. The pressure on the skin interferes with the normal functioning of the blood vessels. Maintain blood circulation by drinking plenty of water, quitting smoking and changing body position.
   • If you have diabetes, it can help reduce blood circulation. Talk to your doctor and find out how to improve blood circulation.
6. 6 Choose clothes that are comfortable. Wear clothing that is neither too loose nor too tight, as these can cause friction and irritation to the skin. Change your clothes every day to keep your skin clear. Wear cotton fabrics with not too large seams.
7. 7 Change your bedding often. If you are bedridden, change your bedding so that bacteria do not grow on the bedsores. Bed linen can be soaked in sweat and irritate the skin. Frequent bed linen changes reduce this risk.
8. 8 Soothe pain with ibuprofen. Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Choose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over aspirin, acetaminophen, or opioids.
   • Take ibuprofen before and after changing body position during debridement or when cleaning pressure sores. This will help ease the pain.

Method 3 of 4: Treating the Skin

1. 1 Observe your skin every day. Pressure ulcers can develop very quickly and need to be treated immediately after detection.Pay special attention to areas of the body that are in contact with a bed or wheelchair, or those that are in contact with other parts of the body or clothing.
   • Pay particular attention to the lower back, tailbone, fingertips, heels, buttocks, knees, nape, elbows, and ankles.
2. 2 Keep your skin clean. If the pressure sores are at an early stage, gently wash the affected area with soap and water. Blot (do not rub) the skin with a towel. Pay special attention to areas of skin prone to sweating or dirt. Moisturize your skin with lotion to keep it from drying out.
   • Bedsores in the buttocks or closer to the groin may be prone to contamination from bowel movements or urine. Apply protective and / or waterproof dressings to damaged areas to reduce this risk.
3. 3 Clean the wounds and apply a bandage. The wound should be cleaned and a clean bandage applied. Saline (a solution of water and salt) may irritate the affected area of ​​skin, so wash the area before changing the dressing. Consult a specialist before doing this; you may need to rely on a professional when performing this procedure.
   • Don't use antiseptics like iodine and hydrogen peroxide. They can interfere with the healing process.
   • There are different types of dressings and materials. A clear film or hydrogel will help get rid of pressure ulcers in the first stage and should be changed every 3-7 days. Other dressings also help improve circulation or protect the skin from the ingress of fluids, including feces, urine, and blood.
4. 4 Get a procedure that includes debridement. Wound treatment means removing dead skin cells. This procedure is performed by a doctor. This is a completely painless procedure as the living nerves are not affected, although areas near the nerves may be sensitive. This procedure is essential for the treatment of late-stage pressure ulcers. Check with your doctor to find the right treatment.
5. 5 Treat the infection with antibiotics. The doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection and heal the body. The doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics, especially in the later stages of the disease.
   • If you develop osteomyelitis or bone disease, you will need to take a long course of antibiotic treatment. Medical attention may also be required.
6. 6 Observe the condition of the pressure sores. Pay close attention to how pressure sores heal to prevent them from getting worse. Check with your doctor if the pressure sores persist.

Method 4 of 4: Changing Your Diet

1. 1 Eat plenty of foods that contain vitamins. Good nutrition is essential to maintain health and prevent pressure ulcers. If you are healthy, your body will help you heal bedsores faster and prevent new ones from forming. If you are deficient in certain vitamins, especially iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C, you are more likely to develop pressure ulcers. Take fortified supplements in addition to foods high in vitamins.
   • Eating a lot of protein also contributes to maintaining health.
2. 2 Make sure your body is not dehydrated. Drink plenty of water every day. Men should drink 13 200 gram glasses of liquid, and women should drink 9 200 gram glasses every day. This does not mean that you only need to drink water. Many foods are high in water, and healthy foods contain 20% of your daily fluid requirement. Eat foods high in water, such as watermelons, to increase your fluid intake.
   • You can also fill your body with fluid by absorbing ice cubes throughout the day as a supplement to your drinking water intake.
   • Avoid drinking alcohol as it dehydrates your body.
3. 3 Maintain a healthy weight. If you are underweight, some parts of your body will be more vulnerable to pressure ulcers. Your skin can crack easily. If you are overweight, this can also cause problems, as it will be difficult for you to change your body position to relieve stress.
4. 4 Do not smoke. Smoking makes the skin dry and is considered an unhealthy habit. It also reduces blood circulation, which can put you at risk of pressure sores.

Tips

• Hire a professional who can visit you regularly, keep your skin clean, and monitor the condition of pressure sores. If you can afford it, it is ideal to hire a caregiver for regular visits so that he can closely monitor your body.

Warnings

• Pressure sores can cause serious problems and should be treated as soon as the first signs show. Otherwise, they can lead to amputation or even death if left untreated.