Pressure sores (1848)
Key points below
What is a pressure injury?
A pressure injury is sometimes called an ulcer or bed sore. The injuries may be a result of constant pressure on the skin underneath a bony area or under a medical device. The most common places are the hip, tail bone, back of the head, heels and elbows. It starts as a red area and will get worse and cause skin damage if the pressure is not relieved. Some common causes of pressure injuries are:
- Poor sensation.
- Limited movement.
- Staying in bed for a few days or more.
- Spending most of their time in a wheelchair.
- Braces or splints that do not fit well.
- Medical devices that cannot be moved or removed
How do I know my child has a pressure injury?
You will see:
- A red area that does not fade after an hour or
- An area of skin that is open and does not heal.
How do I help my child prevent a pressure injury?
To help your child prevent a pressure injury:
- Help your child shift weight often. For example, if your child sits in a wheelchair, have your child do a pushup one time every 15 minutes.
- If your child stays in bed, help them change position at least every 2 hours.
- Do not pull or rub hard on the skin.
- Do not pull a diaper out from underneath your child when your child is laying flat.
- Keep your child’s skin dry and clean.
- Make sure your child’s skin is moisturized.
Do not use doughnut type cushions to support parts of your child’s body.
How do I treat a pressure injury?
The best thing you can do is to check your child’s skin carefully at least one time each day. This way, you will see a problem before an injury starts. If you see an area of skin that is red and the redness does not go away in an hour or if the skin is irritated, call your child’s doctor.
It is important to keep pressure off of the area. If your child sits up in a chair for a long time during the day, they may need to lie down during the day to lessen the pressure. The doctor will tell you what to do to help the pressure injury heal. Your child may need a special dressing to help the area heal.