Bedsores are one of the most common ailments among elderly patients today. Limited mobility from a bedridden lifestyle exacerbates these pressure ulcers and can leave you wondering whether you should consult your primary care physician. Orlando residents have a better option: House Call, MDS. We specialize in wound care and can help you learn how to treat bedsores before they become worse.

Learn How To Treat Bedsores By Preventing Them First

As with many ailments, the best way to treat pressure ulcers is to prevent them from forming. If your elderly loved one has lost their mobility due to surgery or sudden illness, make sure they are rotated several times each day. A simple habit of turning the patient every two hours will save you grief and your loved one painful discomfort in the long run. As the name pressure ulcer implies, bedsores result from prolonged pressure on the skin, typically from lying in place for too long. Because elderly patients are more likely to lose mobility or experience long recovery periods in the hospital, they are especially susceptible to developing bedsores.

Know The Signs

Bedsores typically form along pressure points that your body makes when lying down, such as the tailbone, hips, heels, or ankles. Therefore, there is no single pronation position that can prevent bedsores; the key is to frequently rotate the patient. When one area, such as the tailbone, is left under pressure for too long, the skin on that area’s surface may die from oxygen starvation and loss of blood flow. Dead skin is more susceptible to shear or tearing when rubbed. If left untreated, an open wound can fester, resulting in bedsores. Watch for tender and swollen areas along common pressure points in your patient. A change in skin texture, color, or temperature could also indicate the formation of a bedsore. Before these symptoms worsen, take action: switch the patient to a pressure-relieving mattress designed to prevent bedsores; keep them on a shifting schedule, whether that means positional rotation or supervised ambulation, to interrupt the formation of sores; and keep their skin dry, clean, and moisturized.

Call A Professional

Sometimes preventing a bedsore is out of your hands, and your best option is to seek expert medical attention. Left untreated, bedsores can lead to a skin infection, bone and joint infection, carcinoma, and even sepsis, a life-threatening complication. Treat the open wound with a saline solution and bandage, changed daily. If the wound is severe, you will need the dead tissue cut from the site and removed. Your primary care physician, Orlando wound care specialist, or authorized nurse can help with this step.

Contact Us

When it comes to treating bedsores, you don’t need to wait for your primary care physician. Orlando is home to House Call MDS, a team of professional wound care specialists who are ready to bring exceptional care right to your room or residence. You no longer have to keep wondering how to treat bedsores; contact USA today to make an appointment!