Pressure Ulcers

How Are Bed Sores Treated?

Prevention is by far the best treatment! Good nursing care, using pressure-relieving devices, and special dressings can prevent ulcers. Treatment depends on the ulcer’s stage.

All ulcers must be kept clean with sterile saline and an irrigation tool. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine solution, liquid detergents, and bleach.

The health care provider cleans hard scabs and dead tissue by using a scalpel or scissors (débridement). Wet-to-dry dressings and moist wound dressings can be used to pull off scabs when they are changed. Enzymes on some of the medicated dressings can help remove dead tissue.

The health care provider may prescribe antibiotic creams, pills, and injections to control infections.

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing Bed Sores:

• DO call your health care provider if drainage, pain, or redness around an ulcer increases.
• DO call your health care provider if drainage smells foul and looks like pus.
• DO call your health care provider if you get fever, chills, confusion, weakness, or rapid heartbeat.
• DO know which pressure points may have ulcers and check them often. These points usually don’t have fat padding.
• DO use pressure relief devices, such as pillows, gel or foam cushions or mattresses, and foam or gel heel protectors.
• DO move bedridden people or encourage them to move at least every 2 hours.
• DO keep skin clean and lubricated but not moist.
• DO keep down friction when moving someone. Keep the head of a bed no higher than 30 degrees to prevent sliding and friction.
• DO promote good nutrition.

• DON’T use a doughnut type of cushion, because they can cause pressure ulcers in other areas.