When Resting Turns Into Discomfort: The Common Sites of Bedsores

If resting is supposed to heal you, why does staying in bed for extended periods cause you pain? What begins as mild colour changes on your skin can slowly become a serious medical condition known as bedsores. 

Bedsores are mostly common amongst people who are immobile, bedridden or confined to wheelchairs. However, bedsores are preventable. In this guide, we’ll learn about the common sites of bedsores, recognising the warnings and learning about adequate bedsore prevention and management tips that can be beneficial in avoiding complications.

Where do the Pressure Points Begin?

Identifying the hotspot areas for bedsores is necessary for early detection of bedsore disease. These are pressure-related sores or injuries and they can begin anywhere, as people who use oxygen therapy can develop them on their nose, cheeks, ears or back of the head. For someone with dentures or mechanical ventilation, pressure sores can appear inside the mouth. But the most common sites of bedsores are bony areas or where the bones and skin are close, like ankles, heels, elbows, shoulder blades, back of the head and tailbones.

The most common location, especially for patients or elderly people who are bedridden, is the tailbone, lower back or rear. Bedsore in this area are known as a sacral bedsore. These skin injuries occur in the sacral region because of immobility and long periods of lying down. The constant pressure, friction and moisture make this area very vulnerable and increase the chances of sacral bedsores.

Possible Causes of Bedsores

The main cause of bedsores is the long-term pressure over bony areas of the body, which restricts blood flow to the tissues, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Other key bedsore causes also include:

• Friction: When the skin rubs against bedsheets or clothing, the outer layer of the skin gets weak, which makes it vulnerable to bedsores.
• Shear: Bedsore causes also include movements like sliding down the bed, during which the tissues move, but the skin is stationary. The blood vessels get stretched and cause deeper tissue injury. 
• Moisture: Sweat, urine, stool, or unhygienic bedding damage the skin and its natural barrier, which increases the risk of bedsores.
• Immobility: When people are unable to change their position, due to being bedridden or paralysed, the risk of developing bedsores is higher.
• Lack of nutrition: Poor diets and a lack of nutrients weaken the skin, making it easier for pressure damage to happen. 
• Reduced sensations: Injuries in the spine or conditions such as diabetes reduce the ability to notice discomfort, which causes a delay in noticing signs of bedsores.

Developing an understanding of common sites of bedsores and bedsore causes is key to bedsore prevention and management before they turn into a life-threatening disease.

Warning Signs of Bedsores

More often than not, bedsores begin subtly and then develop if not treated. Therefore, detecting them early is crucial. What are some signs that can help you with this?

• Redness that does not fade, or a purple/ blue patch, can be a pressure point
• Hard/discoloured patches on the skin that appear different from their surroundings
• Skin that feels warmer or cooler than the rest of your body
• Open wounds with pus-like fluid.
• In the later stages, you might notice foul-smelling on the affected area and extreme pain. 

Treatment for Bedsores

When you identify the bedsores, it is essential to have appropriate bedsore care and its dressing. Any further damage should be prevented, and proper care should focus on healing and reducing pressure.

Bedsore care begins with relieving the pressure from the ulcer. This can be done by repositioning or using pillows and foam cushions; the soft surfaces help in reducing the pressure and support the affected area. Positions should be changed in 10-15 minutes, or every 2 hours if in bed.

Washing the bedsore area with saline water or mild soap to prevent further infection daily. This removed the dead tissues too. Avoid massaging the pressure points, as that leads to more tissue damage. Consistent care is essential at the early stages.

Bedsore dressing plays another key role in the recovery of bedsores. Depending on how bad the infection has gotten, healthcare providers may recommend dressings such as film, gauze, gel or foam.

Bedsore Prevention and Management

Bedsore management relies on a consistent approach, as these do not heal in one day. If a patient is immobile, daily inspections help early detection of bedsores and prevent infections in open wounds.

Ideally, if bedridden, a person should be repositioned frequently to avoid tissue damage. Powdering sheets and ensuring hygienic conditions are helpful for the skin. Keeping the skin clean and moisturised helps keep it healthy.

Bedsore prevention and management also includes eating healthy, as getting nutrients helps the damaged skin heal. Gentle exercise can also improve blood circulation. Knowing about the early signs and bedsores and taking preventive measures from day one can help you avoid long-term medical conditions.

Read More: Sleeping Position for Back Pain: Wake Up Pain-Free

Conclusion

Also known as Pressure Ulcers/Sores, Decubitus Ulcers, or Pressure Injuries, bedsores are injuries caused by prolonged pressure on your skin. These start developing when constant pressure on your skin restricts blood flow, leading to tissue damage. As mentioned in the article, bedsores are a preventable condition.

With adequate treatment and care, the risk of complications can be avoided. It is very important for caregivers and patients both to be aware of the danger of bedsores and how to detect them. Overall comfort and health can be increased by protecting skin health.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Bedsores