Good for the elderly
Here are some suggestions for preventing skin breakdown:
Skin disintegration can be caused by a variety of factors including friction, shear, dampness, pressure, and trauma. These variables can operate together or individually to cause skin damage and injury. Aside from immobility and inadequate nutrition, additional factors that contribute to skin disintegration include drugs, dehydration, decreased mental status, and the loss of feeling.
Pressure ulcers can be prevented by treating your skin with gentle care.
The Best Way to Prevent Bed Sores in Elderly Family Members
Devices for locating oneself. A turning schedule can be used in conjunction with pillows, towels, and positioning devices to minimize prolonged pressure on an ulcerated area and to prevent skin breakdown as a result of skin breakdown. Pillow bridging is a simple and effective method of reducing the effects of prolonged tissue compression.
If you are entirely immobilized, cushions should be placed beneath your legs from mid-calf to ankle level to prevent your heels from touching the bed surface as you sleep. Keep pillows from being placed behind the knees. BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE! Reduce your chances of developing a pressure ulcer.
If the skin on the afflicted area is not damaged, wash it with a light cleanser and pat it completely dry. Every time the dressing is changed, wash the exposed wounds with water or a saltwater (saline) solution to remove any debris. Putting on a bandage is a common occurrence. By keeping the wound wet, a bandage helps the healing process along.
Options that are antibacterial or hydrocolloid in nature, as well as those that include alginic acid, may be the most beneficial. You may order dressings from the comfort of your own home. Topical creams should be used: Antibacterial creams can aid in the treatment of an infection, while barrier creams can assist to protect skin that has been injured or become sensitive.
You can use any light ointment, such as antibiotic cream or petroleum jelly, to treat the wound (Vaseline). In addition to keeping the skin from drying out, it will also protect the sore from being contaminated by dust, dirt, flies, and other insects. Caution should be exercised while rubbing or massaging the skin around the pressure sore.
Immobility. Continuous pressure applied to any portion of the body reduces circulation to that region of the body, which can lead to breakdown and eventual ulceration. Incontinence. Skin breakdown is likely to develop if the patient is unable to regulate his or her bladder or bowel movements. This is due to the presence of moisture and germs on the patient’s skin.
Prevention techniques include identifying the risks, reducing the effects of pressure, checking nutritional condition, avoiding extended bed rest, and protecting the integrity of the skin’s barrier function.
While pressure sores, edema, and low blood flow are all caused by increased pressure, medications used to treat low blood pressure as well as poor nutrition all increase the risk of skin breakdown and breakdown. Friction, infections, excessive sweating, and chemical irritation caused by urine, feces, or other secretions can all cause skin damage, as can friction and other factors.