As a thoughtful carer for the elderly, you need to be alert to a senior’s wants and needs all the time. Those needs can be in the form of mental stimulation, conversation and catering for likes while avoiding dislikes, however they can also appear in the form of physical problems that must be corrected as soon as possible, if indeed it if possible at all. Pressure sores fall into the second category. A pressure sore may start off as a simple tear in the skin but, if not treated immediately, can end up as a gaping wound that travels right down to the bone and muscle of an individual. The innocuous nature of the pressure sore’s humble beginnings means carers have to be fully alert to any physical imperfections at all times in order to avoid horrendous abnormalities at a later date. This is a quick guide of what to look for in the first instance and how to treat a pressure sore that does develop.
A pressure sore is often tissue that deteriorates as a result of sitting or lying still for a long period of time. Too much pressure is put on a particular area of skin and it will begin to crack and break. The pressure will in fact restrict the flow of blood to that particular area of skin and when one fails to move and restore blood supply then the sore will ultimately begin to form. It may initially just appear as a red area that will not seem to disappear. Pressure sores, or the beginnings of them, do not tend to disappear quickly, which will alert you to the fact that the area needs attention.
The pressure sore can start to form on the lower back, bottom, legs and ankles. In short, they can occur wherever blood flows close to the surface and there’s a lack of fat, which also acts as a cushion. You can use rolling, turning and adjusting techniques to try and prevent pressure sores occurring or, if they are already present, to help them heal as quickly as possible. Turning will allow the blood to flow again underneath the sore area, thus promoting healing rather than treatment. This is a common trick in nursing homes. While it’s slightly cruel to move an elderly person when she or he is comfortable, it really is worse and more cruel to leave the sore to develop.
Pressure sores can usually be treated with antiseptic cushioning pads with antiseptic cream put on to kill all germs. The area must always be kept clean or else you are running the risk of allowing the sore to become infected. If it does indeed get infected then you will immediately know. The sore will start to eat its way deeper under the surface until it eventually creates a hole. It will also smell terrible, just like rotting flesh, as well as oozing green and yellow pus. This can be effectively treated with salt water or betadine solutions. Dressings must be changed at least twice a day and any dead cells within the sore must be removed to be able to promote health and healing.
Pressure sores really are a cause for concern for any carer, but can be nipped in the bud before they truly start to cause a problem. Effective care will quickly reduce the redness to skin that marks the beginning of a pressure sore. Once you have seen one, I promise you that you’ll go to any length in an attempt to prevent any more occurring. It’s important that you familiarize yourself with general information about pressure sores the ways of treating them because it may be a significant part with the care you administer. However, in the event you ensure that the senior in your care is moved regularly then you may never get to treat one, hopefully!
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