Preventing pressure ulcers

Using several methods, the development of pressure ulcers can largely be prevented and the chance of them appearing reduced. They are:

• Changing position frequently while lying down: in cases of limited mobility or being bedridden, because this helps reduce the pressure on a particular area of the body.
• Using air mattresses: this is a medical mattress that helps prevent pressure ulcers, because parts of it inflate for a certain time, then deflate while other parts inflate, so the pressure changes and is not on one area all the time. It is recommended to sleep on one from the start of the illness if it is necessary to stay in bed for a long time, as in cases of fractures and severe wounds.
• Proper, healthy nutrition: proper, healthy nutrition helps keep the body and skin healthy and prevents the development of infections that lead to wounds. Taking enough fluids and drinking enough water keeps the body hydrated and prevents the skin from drying out, which contributes to ulcers.
• Physical activity: while in bed, moving the different parts of the body stimulates blood flow. It is recommended to move bedridden people into a sitting position too, rather than lying down all the time.
• Skin assessment: make sure to monitor and assess the skin daily in the areas where wounds are more likely; checking them often helps identify a wound at an early stage and prevent it from getting worse. The start of a wound can be recognised by redness appearing in one of the areas of skin; this is a sign of heavy pressure on it and the beginning of a wound. In addition, the person must be followed up by the treating physician, especially people with certain underlying conditions that increase the risk of developing wounds, such as blood-vessel problems or diabetes, in which wounds are hard to heal.
• Hygiene: if possible, it is best to wash daily; this maintains hygiene and keeps the body hydrated. If this is not possible, wash the patient lying down with warm water and body soap, and rinse their body well.
• Keeping the skin dry (not wet): excess moisture in the skin (wet skin) is one of the factors that speed up the development of pressure ulcers, so it is recommended to keep the body dry and clean.

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