Treatment for Bed Sores and Pressure Sores

Bed sores are sores or wounds, which are a result of prolonged pressure and rest.



They are also referred to as pressure sores, as they are primarily caused by pressure in the particular area. Bedsores are seen to occur in convalescing patients or individuals on prolonged bed rest. Patients on wheel chair are also at a high risk for a bed sore. Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers. The pressure results in the cessation of the tissue, due to decrease in circulation. This is a complication, which is not easy to cure.



It affects a particular area quickly and proliferates in a rapid manner. Individuals, who suffer from paralysis is also at risk for bed sores.

Bed sores affect the spine, blade and tail bone of individuals on wheel chairs. For those restricted to the bed, bed sores are common on the back, shoulders, hip bones, back of the extremities and the sides of the head. Treating bed sores is a long process, as it is difficult to heal open wounds. A large damage is already done, causing a delay in the healing process.

Bed sore treatment involves conservative treatment style, such as use of support surfaces, change in position and so on.



Re-position the individual, every fifteen minutes, to avoid aggravation of bed sores on the wheel chair. This procedure is repeated, once in two hours to avoid the same. Support surfaces, in the form of pads and cushions are effective. Mattresses also prove beneficial. Air fluidized beds and low air loss beds help.

A bed sore is also treated in a non surgical manner, by the use of cleansing agents. Cleanliness of the affected area helps in speeding up the process of recovery. Saline solution is one of them. Abstinence from iodine and hydrogen peroxide is recommended.

Saline is easy to prepare at home. Boil a quart of water with a teaspoon of salt, for around five minutes. Fill the same in a sterilized container. Use after the solution cools down. Urinary incontinence is yet another problem, which aggravates the condition of bed sores. It delays the bed sore treatment further. Debridement is the removal of the tissues that are completely damaged. The kind and severity of the wound determines the mode of treatment.

Mechanical debridement is a bedsores treatment technique, which uses an irrigation device to remove the dead tissue.



Topical application of debriding enzymes, which are available in the form of ointments, is helpful and is referred to as enzymatic debridement. Bed sores treatment regimen also involves a healthy diet. Vitamin C and zinc are helpful in wound healing. They also aid in skin integrity.