Pressure ulcer

Alternative Names

First Aid

• Relieve the pressure on that area. Use pillows, special foam cushions, and sheepskin to reduce the pressure.
• Treat the sore based on the stage of the ulcer. Your health care provider will give you specific treatment and care instructions.
• Avoid further trauma or friction. Powder the sheets lightly to decrease friction in bed. (There are many items made specifically for this purpose -- check a medical supplies store.)
• Improve nutrition and other underlying problems that may affect the healing process.
• If the pressure ulcer is at Stage II or worse, your health care provider will give you specific instructions on how to clean and care for open ulcers. It is very important to do this properly to prevent infection.
• Keep the area clean and free of dead tissue. Your health care provider will give you specific care directions. Generally, pressure ulcers are rinsed with a salt-water rinse to remove loose, dead tissue. The sore should be covered with special gauze dressing made for pressure ulcers.
• New medicines that promote skin healing are now available and may be prescribed by your doctor.

DO NOT

• Do NOT massage the area of the ulcer. Massage can damage tissue under the skin.
• Donut-shaped or ring-shaped cushions are NOT recommended. They interfere with blood flow to that area and cause complications.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if an area of the skin blisters or forms an open sore. Contact the provider immediately if there are any signs of an infection. An infection can spread to the rest of the body and cause serious problems. Signs of an infected ulcer include:

• A foul odor from the ulcer
• Redness and tenderness around the ulcer
• Skin close to the ulcer is warm and swollen

Fever, weakness, and confusion are signs that the infection may have spread to the blood or elsewhere in the body.

References

Brillhart B. Pressure sore and skin tear prevention and treatment during a 10-month program. Rehabil Nurs. 2005; 30(3): 85-91.

de Laat EH, Scholte op Reimer WJ, van Achterberg T. Pressure ulcers: diagnostics and interventions aimed at wound-related complaints: a review of the literature. J Clin Nurs. 2005; 14(4): 464-472.

Cole L, Nesbitt C. A three year multiphase pressure ulcer prevalence/incidence study in a regional referral hospital. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2004; 50(11): 32-40.