Bedsores — also called pressure sores or pressure ulcers — are injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. Bedsores most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone.
People most at risk of bedsores are those with a medical condition that limits their ability to change positions, requires them to use a wheelchair or confines them to a bed for a long time.
Causes - Bedsores are caused by pressure against the skin that limits blood flow to the skin and nearby tissues. Other factors related to limited mobility can make the skin vulnerable to damage and contribute to the development of pressure sores. Three primary contributing factors are:
Sustained pressure. When your skin and the underlying tissues are trapped between bone and a surface such as a wheelchair or a bed, the pressure may be greater than the pressure of the blood flowing in the tiny vessels (capillaries) that deliver oxygen and other nutrients to tissues. Without these essential nutrients, skin cells and tissues are damaged and may eventually die.
This kind of pressure tends to happen in areas that aren't well-padded with muscle or fat and that lie over a bone, such as your spine, tailbone, shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows.
Friction. Friction is the resistance to motion. It may occur when the skin is dragged across a surface, such as when you change position or a care provider moves you. The friction may be even greater if the skin is moist. Friction may make fragile skin more vulnerable to injury.
Shear. Shear occurs when two surfaces move in the opposite direction. For example, when a hospital bed is elevated at the head, you can slide down in bed. As the tailbone moves down, the skin over the bone may stay in place — essentially pulling in the opposite direction. This motion may injure tissue and blood vessels, making the site more vulnerable to damage from sustained pressure.
Symptoms-Bedsores fall into one of four stages based on their severity. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, a professional organization that promotes the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, defines each stage as follows:
Stage I
The beginning stage of a pressure sore has the following characteristics:The skin is not broken.The skin appears red on people with lighter skin color, and the skin doesn't briefly lighten (blanch) when touched. On people with darker skin, the skin may show discoloration, and it doesn't blanch when touched.. The site may be tender, painful, firm, soft, warm or cool compared with the surrounding skin.
Stage II
At stage II:The outer layer of skin (epidermis) and part of the underlying layer of skin (dermis) is damaged or lost.The wound may be shallow and pinkish or red.The wound may look like a fluid-filled blister or a ruptured blister.
Stage III
At stage III, the ulcer is a deep wound:The loss of skin usually exposes some fat.The ulcer looks crater-like.The bottom of the wound may have some yellowish dead tissue.The damage may extend beyond the primary wound below layers of healthy skin.
Stage IV
A stage IV ulcer shows large-scale loss of tissue:The wound may expose muscle, bone or tendons.The bottom of the wound likely contains dead tissue that's yellowish or dark and crusty.The damage often extends beyond the primary wound below layers of healthy skin.
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
ARNICA MONT. 30-Arnica is an excellent Homeopathic medicine for treating Bed Sores when the skin turns bluish or blackish in appearance. The colour changes are due to marked stasis of blood because of the constant pressure on the affected part. The bluishness is accompanied by marked soreness. The patient complains of bruised and sore feeling in the affected part and feels as if the bed is too hard to lie on. Along with soreness, the patient may also complain of itching. In such conditions, Arnica is the ideal remedy to reduce blood stasis and hence, the black or blue spots. The soreness and itching diminish with its use. Arnica also acts as a preventive medicine against pus formation that occurs in late stages of bed sores.
APIS MELLIFICA 30-Apis Mellifica is the best remedy for Bed Sores where the skin appears rose coloured. There is a marked burning sensation in the spots. The patient complains of pain in the spots and it gets worse by touch. The condition also gets worse in a warm room or from heat of bed. The desire is to be in open air or uncover the affected parts to reduce the pain and burning. The pain may be of a stinging nature.
CARBO VEG 30-In Carbo Veg the skin is bluish with coldness. Excessive sweat may also be present along with the coldness. Carbo Veg has bluish-coloured Bed Sores due to stagnation of blood in capillaries. Because of stagnated blood, there is imperfect oxidation, resulting in Bed Sores with a bluish tint. Apart from bluishness, coldness and sweat, the other complaint is itching. The itching worse by warmth. Itching may also be mostly experienced towards evening time. Bleeding from the sores is also present .There is marked weakness.
ARSENICUM ALB 30-Arsenic Album is an excellent remedy for Bed Sores where ulcers have formed with discharge of an offensive character. The discharge from ulcers is extremely putrid. Pain in ulcers, especially of a burning nature, is dominantly present. The pain get worse at night. Cold may also worsen the pain and burning in ulcers.Weakness is present.
ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30-It is also an excellent remedy for Bed Sore when the centre covered with dry bloody crusts
BAPTISIA TINC .30- Baptisia is the remedy when Bed Sores appear in typhoid fever.
LACHESIS 200- In Lachesis Bed Sores appear with blue edges in typhoid
SILICEA 30--Silicea is prescribed when the Bed Sores associated with pus. Silicea is a very powerful and efficient Homeopathic medicine to get rid of pus discharges. It can be prescribed in all cases of Bed Sores with discharge of pus.
HEPAR SULPH 30-In Hepar Sulph the pus discharge is bloody. There is extreme pain and sensitiveness in the ulcer. The person needing Hepar Sulph may also have a burning and stinging feeling in the ulcers.
CROTALUS HOR. 30-Bed Sores appear from the degraded state of the blood.
PAEONIA 30-Paeonia is the most efficient remedy when the Bed Sores occur on sacrum and coccyx. Ulcers are present with pain and sensitiveness, Itching and pain in ulcers may also be felt
PYROGEN 30-Pyrogen is effective when sepsis occurs. In such cases of extreme Bed Sores where the infection has gained access to blood, Pyrogen is a very beneficial Homeopathic medicine. The patient shows symptoms of increased pulse rate, and high fever with shivering. The skin is cold and sweaty and there is a presence of deep ulcers with horribly offensive discharge.
SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is also used when the Bed Sores turn to gangrenous sores, with gnawing pain
Externally Calendula Q should be applied either in crude or diluted form