What are pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcers refer – wounds that occur from prolonged pressure on individual’s skin. People who are immobile for long periods, for instance, those who are bedridden or utilise a wheelchair, are most at risk for pressure ulcers. These painful wounds, or pressure ulcers, can grow large as well as lead to infections. In few instances, they can be lethal or life-threatening.

What are other names for Pressure Ulcers?

Alternative or other heard terms:

  • Decubitus ulcers.
  • Pressure injuries.
  • Pressure sores.
  • Bed sores.
  • Or Pressure wounds

What causes pressure ulcers?

Bedsores or pressure ulcers occur when pressure decreases or cuts off blood flow to person’s skin. This lack of blood flow can cause a pressure wound injury to develop in as little as 120 minutes/two hours. Skin cells on individual’s epidermis (individual’s skin’s outer layer) begin to die. As the dead cells break down, a pressure ulcer injury forms.
Pressure ulcers or Bedsores are more likely to develop when there’s pressure along with:

  • Moisture from perspiration, urine (or pee) or stool (or poop).
  • Traction (pulling or stretching of skin) from sliding down in an inclined bed/wheelchair.

What are the stages of pressure ulcers?

Healthcare providers/professionals utilise a staging system to assess the severity of a pressure ulcer.
Stages of bedsores or pressure ulcers comprise:

  • Stage 1: Individual’s skin appears red or pink, but there isn’t an open wound. It may be hard for people with darker skin to see a color alter. Healthcare provider may refer to this stage as a pressure injury. Individual’s skin may feel tender to the touch. Or their skin might feel warmer, cooler, softer or firmer.
  • Stage 2: A shallow wound with a pink or red base develops. Individual may see skin loss, abrasions as well as blisters.
  • Stage 3: A noticeable wound may go into person’s skin’s fatty layer (or the hypodermis).
  • Stage 4: The wound penetrates all three layers of skin, exposing muscles, tendons and bones in individual’s musculoskeletal system.

Diagnosis -

Patient may see a wound specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare providers diagnose and stage bedsores based on their appearance. Healthcare provider will photograph the sore to monitor wound healing.

Patients may get certain tests to check for infections, like:

  • Biopsies.
  • Blood cultures and tests.
  • X-rays or MRIs.
    (referred from Cleveland Clinic)

What are nonsurgical treatment options for pressure ulcers?

Patient (person himself/herself) or a caregiver may be able to treat stages 1 or 2 bedsores. For stages 3 or 4 bedsores, patient might see a wound specialist. Based on the severity of the pressure ulcer, it may take weeks or months for the sore to heal.
To treat a pressure injury, medical professional or healthcare provider may:

  • Irrigate (or cleanse) the wound with soap and water or saline (sterile saltwater solution).
  • Dress (or cover) the wound with special medical bandages designed to enhance healing. These comprise – water-based gel (hydrogel), hydrocolloid, alginates (seaweed) and foam dressings.
  • For deep, severe pressure ulcers, healthcare provider will remove/take out dead tissue during a procedure known as debridement. 
  • Healthcare provider removes the dead tissue utilising a scalpel. Or they may apply ointments that help patient’s body dissolve the dead tissue.
  • Healthcare provider may first numb the site or area with a local anesthetic because even though the tissue is dead, the portion or area around it isn’t.

D-FIBROHEAL Ag SPRINKLING POWDER –

Silk protein and silver based antimicrobial surgical powder wound dressing for treatment and prevention of infection in contaminated wounds with mild to moderate and heavy exudation including – pressure ulcers. This antimicrobial powder wound dressing conforms to any wound shape as well as size, easy to apply, absorbs excess exudates and enables extended wear time. The actives in the dressing are easily broken down by body’s biocatalyst or enzymes, dissolves in the wound fluid, creates a optimal wound environment conditions and enhances fibroblast proliferation for new tissue to grow.

D-Fibroheal Ag Particles

They are pure lyophilized silk protein & nano silver based antimicrobial particles with an increased surface area in a completely bio-absorbable form for advanced as well as rapid healing. Can be utilised in case of pressure ulcers.

D-Fibroheal Ag Foam Adhesive 

This can be used in case of pressure sores or ulcers – a silk protein and nano silver based super-absorbent, antimicrobial foam dressing with adhesive backing which offers safe and secure fixation over the wound site. The PU foam padding has high fluid handling capacity, absorb exudates, controls and prevent wound infection and permits transpiration to lessen the risk of maceration/desiccation.

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