Bed Sore Prevention

Treatment may become more difficult once the skin is broken. Therefore, it is better to take the following measures seriously in order to prevent bedsores:

• Change position at least every two hours to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas of skin
• If you can move yourself, shifting your weight every 15 minutes is even better
• If you cannot move yourself, have someone help you change your position
• When lying on your back, keep your heels up off the bed by placing a pillow under your legs. Do not place the pillow under because this reduces blood flow to your lower leg
• The surface of the bed sheets should be smooth, leaving no creases
• Avoid dragging the person across the bed sheets. Always lift the person
• Do not raise the head of the bed more than 30 degrees, because that increases the pressure on the spine and may worsen the effected area
• When sitting, maintain good posture and keep upright
• Changing your body position at least every hour while sitting in a chair will help prevent pressure ulcers
• Get your skin inspected at least once a day. Pay special attention to any reddened areas that remain after you have changed positions
• Keep your skin dry & clean by removing perspiration, urine and faeces to prevent the breakdown of the skin and to remove bacteria that may cause bedsores
• Eat healthy diet. The diet should include enough calories, protein, calcium, and zinc and vitamins C and E
• Do not massage any reddened areas of the skin, especially those over bony prominences
• Use Sheepskin pads
• Use a water-filled mattress or cushions
• Protecting the wound with medicated gauze or other special dressings
• Transplanting healthy skin to the wound area
• Medication (e.g. antibiotics to treat infections)