The scar healing is a very long process and laborious, so prevention is essential, as well as knowing how to act from the appearance of the first symptoms.
As the experts of the there are several factors that contribute to the development of these bedsores. Being confined to a bed or a chair, not being able to move, lack of control of urine or stool, poor nutrition, or lack of mental alertness are factors that contribute to increasing the risk of suffering bedsores and pressure ulcers.
- Being reduced to bed or chair. If you must remain in bed, in a chair, or in a wheelchair, your risk may be increased.
- Inactivity. If you cannot move or change position without help, you are at higher risk. People in a coma, those who are paralyzed, or those who have fractured their hips are at higher risk. The risk decreases when people can move on their own.
- Lack of control of urine or stool. You are at greater risk of contact bedsores if you cannot keep your skin clean of urine, feces or sweat, as moisture can irritate the skin.
- Bad nutrition. If you cannot maintain an adequate diet, the skin will not receive the necessary nutrients to stay healthy.
- Lack of mental alertness. When mental abilities decrease, the person cannot do what is necessary to avoid the sores.
From the offer us these 10 keys to prevent bedsores:
- guarantee a good hydration and nutrition rich in protein
- keep good corporal hygiene: Take a daily shower if possible or a complete toilet in bed or even two a day if necessary. Use a neutral soap, do not rub and carefully dry the skin completely. Never apply alcohol because it dehydrates the skin or ice or a very hot hair dryer.
- Regularly check the skin moisturethis suffers a great aggression with feces, urine and sweat.
- Carry out massages soft and specific to maintain a good trophism of the skin. They should be performed on clean, dry skin using the fingers and palms without applying excessive pressure, being especially delicate on bony prominences. We can take the opportunity to apply moisturizing creams or oils well tolerated by the patient. Never give a massage locally when the eschar is already in grade I or II.
- When making the bed make sure that the bed sheets they are clean, dry, without folds or remains of food. Do not use large bandages or dressings or very tight or very loose clothing made of rough fabrics.
- Encourage the person to do exercises and move. If his state of health does not allow it, perform mobilizations of all four limbs yourself to improve vascularity and maintain the amplitudes of the joints.
- position changes frequent in bed: It is imperative to change the position of the patients every 3 hours, alternating the position lying on their backs, on the right side at 30 degrees and on the left side at 30 degrees. We will avoid turning the person completely to the side as this will exert excessive pressure on the trochanter (hip bone) and can cause bedsores. We will help ourselves with pillows and cushions for a more comfortable position.
- If the elderly person can be in a wheelchair or armchair, they should not stay in bed all day, they can sit for 3 hours, after this time we must make sure they get up and walk if possible or lie down to release the support points.
- Learn about the types of anti-decubitus materials that exist to help you in your work to prevent pressure ulcers: cushions, mattresses, heels…
- Take advantage of the moment of grooming, postural changes and massages to carefully inspect the areas risk for correct prevention.