Decubitus Ulcers

Decubitus or Pressure Ulcers are injuries that occur on the skin near bony projections due to friction or dry skin. They are common among people who have restricted mobility such as bed-ridden people, people who use wheelchairs, etc. When the skin comes under pressure, it causes the blood vessels to not reach a specific region thus damaging soft tissue. If left untreated, ulcers can lead to complications such as infections, anemia, gangrene, etc. The treatment of decubitis requires the use of a dressing to cover the wound and help in natural healing of the ulcer. You can consult a medical professional for more information and advice on the topic. The treatment also includes the use of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal powders. Many medical professionals also recommend the use of moisturizing powders and creams so that the skin retains moisture and is not susceptible to friction related ulcers.

Stages of Decubitus Ulcers

Different stages of decubitus affect a person, with increasing severity as the stages increase:

• Stage 1 – Discoloration of skin begins, varying from red, blue, or purple. The skin might also be a little warmer and inflamed.
• Stage 2 – The skin begins breaking and displaying some skin erosion. A blister might be formed containing fluid.
• Stage 3 – Ulcer becomes deeper, and begins entering the flesh or fat layer making a crater-like wound.
• Stage 4 – The ulcer has reached the muscles and bone, and has turned into a full-fledged wound.

Symptoms of Decubitus Ulcers

There are a few highly visible symptoms which can help you diagnose the stage of decubitus:

• Swelling
• Pus-like draining from skin
• Cooler or warmer patches on skin
• Tenderness
• Change of color of skin

Causes of Decubitus Ulcers

• External Pressure - Any kind of external pressure over a long period of time can cause a shortage of blood flow to a specific soft tissue causing the development of ulcers.
• Friction - The second most common cause of decubitis is friction, where the skin on constant heat generated by friction can get ruptured and cause soft tissue damage.
• Shear - In layman terms, shearing is the separation of the skin from underlying tissue causing the tissue to be exposed to external pressure, which in turn results in ulcers.
• Moisture - Sweat, urine, and other moisture inducing factors can result in the skin getting macerated hence increasing the chances of friction and ulcers.

Treatment Options for Decubitus Ulcers

• Wound Dressings - An ulcer can be easily treated by using the right kind of wound dressing, which includes patches, alginate dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, antimicrobial dressings, etc.
• Antiseptic Creams and Solutions - These anti-microbial creams can help clean the wound and eliminate any microbes, thus reducing the chances of infections.
• Hydrogel Sheets - These hydrogel dressings work as dressings and also as a covering, protecting the wound from external contaminates and also expediting the healing process.

Where to Buy Decubitus Ulcer Dressings Online?

At Shop Wound Care, we have a wide range of products from top selling brands such as Medline, Smith and Nephew, Coloplast etc. that help in the treatment of decubitis.