How to Prevent Bedsores

Bedsores are a serious worry for anyone who is forced to spend most of his time lying or sitting in one position. Bedsores can occur from lying in a bed or sitting in a wheelchair for extended periods of time because pressure on the skin causes ulceration. If you are providing care to someone who is bedridden or who spends long hours in a wheel chair, you should know how to prevent bedsores. Untreated, they can require surgery to heal, and you don't want to put your loved one through that ordeal.

Move Patient
Experts advise caregivers to move patients at least once every four hours to prevent bedsores. This time limit can be adjusted depending on whether the patient is awake or unconscious and any previous history with bedsores. Moving a patient on your own can require a lot of effort, so make sure you're doing this safely. Use your legs and buttocks to move a patient rather than your back and ask for assistance if the patient is too heavy. Different positions will decrease the amount of pressure placed on skin, thus preventing bedsores.

Use Soft, Wrinkle-Free Sheets
Sheets can have a large impact on preventing bedsores. If you use rough or wrinkled sheets, the skin can become irritated by the material and cause sores, which is something you'll want to avoid. Choose sheets with a high thread count that won't wrinkle easily, and be sure to change them once every couple of days to be washed.

Conduct Periodic Examinations
It can sometimes be nearly impossible to prevent bedsores entirely, but if they are caught early, surgical remedies won't usually be required. Check areas of the body where you might expect bedsores to form, such as on the back, heels, shoulders and hips. If you see areas that seem welted or splotchy, contact a health care provider for advice. You should keep the patient as comfortable as possible and remove pressure from that body part.

Keep the Bed Flat
It might be tempting to raise the head on the bed of a patient because it is a change of position, but this can cause more bedsores on the hips, buttocks and thighs. Sitting up puts pressure on the lower body, thus initiating the creating of bedsores.

Dry Skin
Make sure that the skin of the patient is dry to prevent bedsores. When skin becomes moist, it is easier for it to become irritated, often resulting in bedsores. Make sure that your patient is clean and dry at all times and clean up accidents or other problems immediately.