Bedsore

*WARNING!!!: The contents below may be found disturbing to some readers.

Readers discretion is advised.

When you pronounce the phrase “bedsores”, it sounds very ordinary. However, when you deeply understand bedsores, you will find that it is actually a nightmare on the human’s body. I want to show you what bedsores are really looking like below.

This looks disgusting, right? Don’t worry, you can prevent bedsores if you follow the specific prevention methods. The bedsores may deteriorate if you ignore them. You have taken a look at it, why not stay here for more information about bedsores? Below is the information regarding bedsores you must know that help you to confront and prevent bedsores for the rest of your life.

What actually are bedsores meaning? Bedsores are also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, which happens when the skins and underlying tissues injure due to prolonged pressure on the skin. Hence, it obstructs the blood supply to the skin for more than 2 to 3 hours and causes the skin to die. Gradually, the bedsores start developing with the colour of red to eventually purple. Bedsores consist of many stages such as 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Bedsores mostly happen on the skin that covered bony areas such as:

(Source: Physiopedia)

Back of head and ears
Shoulder blades
Buttocks (tailbone or hips)
Heel
Ankles

It often happens on the people who are:

Elderly
Immobility
Wheelchair-bound patients.
Having fragile skin
Bedridden

Stages of bedsores

Bedsores consist of many stages based on how deep the sores are. The deeper the sores, the higher the stages will be diagnosed. In addition, the colour of the skin and the condition of the bedsores such as odour, bleeding and infection may also be the elements to diagnose it. The way to heal the bedsores are different for each of the stages which included medications, surgery, or local wound care.

Stage 1

The stage 1 bedsores occur in the upper layer of the skin. The skin appears red and feels warm to the touch. It can be also blue or purple tint if the skin is a dark complexion. In addition, the patients may feel pain, burning, or itching in the area.

Stage 2

The skin is broken and damaged with an open wound or blister that is filled with fluid in the stage 2 bedsores. The patients may feel significant pain and the skin looks discoloured.

Stage 3

The stage 3 bedsores are deeper and have gone through into the fat layer. The bedsores look like a crater with a bad smelling. The edge of the sores is red, it may be turned to black if the skin tissue has died.

Stage 4

This stage of bedsores is the most serious compared to the previous stages. Many layers of skin have gone through deeply and the wound becomes bigger. It shows red edges, pus, odour or drainage. The tendons, muscles, bones and joints that emerge are visible.

Complications of bedsores

In order to heal the developed bedsores, it takes days, months, or even years. It may cause life-threatening if the bedsores are not to be treated well, such as bone and joint infections, cancer, sepsis, or cellulitis.

Prevention of bedsores

Bedsores can be prevented or treated by:

Getting help to turn and change position every 2 hours
Making sure the skin is clean and dry
Using ripple air mattresses in beds or soft padding in wheelchairs to reduce pressure on the skin.
Taking care of your body by maintaining sufficient nutrition, keeping away from unhealthy habits, and exercising regularly so that the bedsores can be recovered well.