Pulmo Sleep Center Eliksir

Decubitus wounds represent one of the biggest challenges for doctors, since they are open wounds on the patient's skin, caused by pressure, interruption or damage to nerves and poor circulation. Treatment of a decubitus wound requires several treatment approaches, as well as a detailed assessment of the patient's overall condition. In the following lines, read how to recognize the symptoms of decubitus and how to treat decubitus wounds.

How do decubitus wounds occur?

Decubitus wounds are caused by external factors such as bacterial infections, mechanical pressure and moisture, as well as internal influences such as anemia, high body temperature, improper diet, poor hygiene, and the like.

The most common places where decubitus sores appear are the skin around the sacral bone, heels and hips, but they can also appear on the knees, elbows, limbs or even on the back of the skull. Long-term pressure on soft tissue is the main culprit for the appearance of open wounds, since it prevents blood flow through the tissue and leads to more serious consequences.

Decubitus wounds most often occur in people who do not move, i.e. in those who are bedridden or wheelchair bound. The risk of developing wounds is all the greater if it is a matter of poor nutrition, decreased immunity or inadequate hygiene. Of the diseases that can lead to the appearance of open wounds of this type, arteriosclerosis, paralysis or neuropathy are distinguished, which reduce blood flow to the skin, that is, reduce sensation in the skin.

Stages of pressure ulcer development

The development of decubitus goes through several stages that are very noticeable, however, if you do not react to the symptoms in a timely manner and do not provide home care for the patient or some other form of prevention, the problem increases significantly. This is why the prevention of decubitus is very important, because the treatment itself is much more complicated and exhaustive.

The first stage of decubitus involves tissue damage in the deeper layers, which is manifested by a change in the color of the skin at the point of pressure and a feeling of discomfort and mild pain. In the second phase, the skin becomes thinner, while the third phase involves the loss of the entire thickness of the skin.

In the fourth stage, the wounds become more serious, because they spread to the bones and joints. The uncategorized stage is also part of the process, and is reflected in the appearance of a black scab or eschar when the exact depth of the decubitus cannot be determined.

The appearance of decubitus wounds requires an adequate response already in the first phase, because any neglect of the first decubitus symptoms leads to complications. As part of prevention, an anti-decubitus pillow or pad is recommended, which greatly alleviates the problem. Untreated decubitus can lead to malignant alteration, osteomyelitis, sepsis, anemia, or the appearance of various fistulas.

Decubitus treatment and recovery

When it comes to decubitus, treatment is not at all simple, which is why the patient is urged to start prevention of decubitus at the first symptoms. Although these measures are sometimes more difficult to apply in people with more serious diseases, whose movement is impossible, a positive effect can still be achieved by regular turning of the body, i.e. by redistributing pressure.

In addition to regularly turning and changing the position of the patient's body, it is very important to take care of a healthy diet and normal protein intake, as well as that feces and urine should not come into contact with the skin. It is best to change the position of the body every two hours, in which the anti-decubitus mattress and creams for decubitus wounds play a very important role.

Antidecubitus mattress

Antidecubitus mattress or so-called the decubitus mattress has proven to be a very effective tool when it comes to the treatment of decubitus. Its advantages lie in the fact that it has a compressor with alternating filling and emptying chambers, which enable constant body massage, especially those parts that are prone to the appearance of pressure sores (back, pelvis, heels, elbows).

The mattress is large enough for the patient to sit comfortably, and it also has straps that can be pulled under the classic mattress so that there is no unwanted movement.

However, the best recommendation for preventing decubitus is a timely response to the above-mentioned symptoms, which can significantly save you from more complicated problems and discomfort.

Creams for decubitus wounds can be helpful, and one of the greatest allies in the fight is certainly a mattress for decubitus, which will greatly facilitate diseases of this type if you encounter it.

As a pressure ulcer can be a serious illness that requires adequate care, it is very important that you know who to turn to for the best medical service in these situations. The Eliksir team is always at your disposal.