Frequently Asked Questions*
What are the symptoms of a pressure sore?
Who is affected?
How do you treat pressure sores?
Can pressure sores be prevented?
Can diet prevent pressure sores?
What are the risk factors associated with pressure sores?
How can infected pressure sores be treated?
How can I tell if a pressure sore is getting better?
Q - What are the symptoms of a pressure sore?
A – A pressure sore may initially appear as a red area of skin that does not disappear after a few hours and it may feel tender. The area may become painful and purple in colour. Continued pressure and poor circulation can cause the skin and tissue to break down.
back to topA – Pressure sores can affect people of any age, particularly those with poor mobility who spend prolonged periods in bed or in a chair or are unable to change their position.
Older people are more likely to develop pressure sores which can also be caused by poor nutrition, anaemia, recurrent infection and poor circulation.
Q – How do you treat pressure sores?
A – Treating a pressure sore is much more difficult than preventing one. Treatment of pressure sores includes relieving pressure and keeping the sore clean. Dressings are used to encourage healing and antibiotic therapy can treat infection.
The removal of dead tissue, skin grafting and plastic surgery may also be required. It’s important to improve nutrition and to treat any underlying condition that’s contributing to the problem.
Q – Can pressure sores be prevented?
A – In many cases, yes. The most important factor in preventing sores is avoiding prolonged pressure on an area of the skin. This can be achieved by encouraging a person to change their position regularly throughout the day.
Those unable to do this themselves should be moved at appropriate intervals – at least every two hours for those lying down and every hour for those sitting upright.
Special mattresses, such as air filled alternating pressure mattresses and cushions that redistribute pressure help reduce pressure on sensitive areas.
Regular inspection of high risk pressure areas is important to detect early signs and prompt medical care should be provided.
It is also important to keep skin healthy, clean and dry. Use a mild soap and warm (not hot) water. Apply moisturisers so the skin doesn’t get too dry. If you must spend a lot of time in bed or in a wheelchair, check the whole body every day for spots, colour changes or other signs of sores.
Q – Can diet prevent pressure sores?
A –A healthy diet that includes plenty of vitamin C and zinc is important to maintain healthy skin and may help prevent pressure sores developing.
back to topQ – What are the risk factors associated with pressure sores?
A – There are a number of risk factors including age, mobility, incontinence, malnutrition and dehydration, diseases and disorders such as confusion or dementia that lessen mental awareness and may prevent a person from feeling the discomfort of a harmful body position. There are also medications such as sedatives that may lessen a person’s sensitivity to pain.
back to topQ – How can infected pressure sores be treated?
A – The treatment of an infected pressure sore depends on the severity of the infection. If only the sore itself is infected, an antibiotic ointment can be put on the sore. When bone or deeper tissue is infected, intravenous antibiotics (given through a needle in a vein) are often required.
back to topQ – How can I tell if a pressure sore is getting better?
A – As a pressure sore heals, it slowly gets smaller. Less fluid drains from it. New healthy skin starts growing at the bottom of the sore. This new skin is light red or pink and looks lumpy and shiny. It may take two to four weeks of treatment before you see these signs of healing.
* Thanks is given to the following websites from which information was sourced to assist with these FAQs: www.bbc.co.uk/health, www.familydoctor.org, www.doctoronline.nhs