Pressure injuries, also known as pressure sores, occur when areas of the skin do not get the blood and oxygen that they need due to prolonged pressure. This lack of oxygen causes the cells in the affected area to become damaged and die. Being unable to move freely can significantly increase your chances of getting pressure sores. If you want to prevent them, you must take proper care of your skin and regularly shift your body weight to relieve pressure.
Signs of a Forming Pressure Sore
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, contact your physician or WOC nurse.
- Skin redness that does not go away within 30 minutes of pressure being relieved. If you have darker skin, you may not see redness. You may also notice a change in temperature, sensation or a darker color over the area of pressure.
- Change in skin color or temperature (warmer or cooler than other skin areas nearby).
- Skin that feels spongy or hard.
- The affected area is itchy and painful.
- Skin irritation such as a scraped area, break in the skin, blisters or open areas.
Those With a Higher Risk of Developing Pressure Sores
There are factors that increase a person’s chance of developing a pressure sore, which include the following.
- Has decreased circulation or feeling in a body part.
- Spends most of the day in a chair or a bed with little movement.
- Is underweight or overweight.
- Has frequent bouts of incontinence.
- Uses a wheelchair.
How To Assess and Care for Your Skin
According to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, there are several areas you should inspect for signs of pressure injury and give extra care to daily.
- Assess pressure points, such as the backbone, buttocks, heels, elbows, hips and beneath medical devices.
- Cleanse the skin promptly after episodes of incontinence.
- Use pH balanced cleansers for the skin.
- Avoid positioning yourself on an area of redness or pressure injury.
How To Prevent Pressure Sores
Health care professionals recommend repositioning yourself in your chair every two hours. Also, it helps to maintain dry bed sheets that are free of wrinkles when laying down. When awake in bed, you can try to turn to a different position about every two hours. Similarly, ask your doctor if it is necessary to have a nighttime turning schedule.
If you are a wheelchair user, you should also have your provider check the fit annually. The fit should also be checked if you have gained weight, lost weight or feel pressure anywhere.
Additionally, using pressure redistribution surfaces such as cushions, special mattresses and padding to support more bony areas of the body will also help to prevent pressure sores.
For more information, visit https://npiap.com/.
*Disclaimer: Any health and wellness content presented is for general informational purposes only. Such content is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
References
MedlinePlus (2022, March 31). Preventing pressure ulcers. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000147.htm
NPIAP. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. https://npiap.com/