Skin and pressure sores As we age our skin loses elasticity and becomes thinner this means we have to be more vigilant about pressure sores!
Pressure and friction against the skin will cause shearing of the skin considerably easier as we age. This shearing leas to blisters and eventual skin break down. An aging heart does not pump blood around the body as effectively as a young ones, circulation decreases causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the skin tissue cells. If the pressure that is causing the problem is not removed then the cells die and result in pressure damage.
Further decreased mobility causes a decrease in blood flow to the areas of pressure which adds to the problem.
So how can prevent pressure sores? Nutrition is important!!.....in the absence of pressure, we should not develop pressure sores if we have adequate nutrition but if you do develop a pressure sore then nutrition is essential for the healing process.
This linkprovides usual information on appropriate nutrition.
Prevent exsessive moisture to the skin....Skin should not be left wet from any of the following sources: bathing, perspiration, incontinence (as urine and faeces are acidic)...follow good hygiene
Do not smoke!..it affects blood flow and circulation!
This linkprovides usual information on appropriate nutrition.
Above link is a "must read"!!! Goes beyond just pressure sore nutritional advice.
Great post, Lara!!
I have found that keeping skin moisturized is critical to minimizing shearing. The best lotion I have found, and it's inexpensive, is castor oil. I put it into one of those pump bottles for easier dispensing. It is oily going on, but sinks in and does not stain or leave mark on clothes after just a moment. Safe to use anywhere on body, but avoid getting in eyes. I get mine at www.vitacost.com/heritage-products-castor-oil-hexane-free-32-fl-oz. With many lotions, my skin reacts to perfume ingredient and also doesn't "breathe". This oil is completely soothing, no added ingredients, no petroleum content, and no perfume. Scent is like lying in grass on a hot summer day, but it doesn't linger.
If you are taking corticosteroid (prednisone or similar), then skin is made more fragile. So even more critical to take care to avoid pressure sores.
Thankyou for saying wavewolf... I remember working on this post and it took me such a long time to carefully research it and used several sources.
The information is there and van be very beneficial. Thankyou for adding info wavewolf...you have brought up some very good points.
I remember being given cortisone cream to use quite liberally on my hands when i developed when i developed 'nervous eczema'. It worked amazinlgy well but damaged my skin permanently. So much so that I have to use hand cream several times a day.
After my shower I use a home prepared oil based moisturizer that I add vitamin E to and i apply from head to toe..Keeping the skin nourished and moisturized is crucial.
Ive added a post for the moisturizing oil i prepare click Here
Great post Lαrα and very important info because this is something many of us have already experienced or will experience if we don't take care of ourselves. To be honest I don't turn as much as I should at night and I guess I can thank my age for no pressure issues so far. I'll definitely start being more careful of my skin because the last thing I'd need right now is a pressure sore!
My nightmare is pressure sores, one poor girl who was in rehab with me was in bed for 8 months because of pressure sores, she had some very serious surgery done, poor thing and she is a paraplegic. I guess I'm lucky in the fact that I can move around on my chair and stand to relieve my bum a bit. I do not want to spend 8 months in bed thank you very much.
Butiki, I've met a few people at rehab that spend months in the hospital due to pressure sores. It's really too bad since it's crucial to be in rehab trying to regain as much as you can during the early stages!
hello Lαrα i hav a pressure sore in my foot because my shoe verry tight. if you can no feel your shoe you have to see if it is tight .
ridingdirty, Do you do skin inspections? I use a mirror and check everywhere while getting dressed for day and again at bedtime. Sores and infections can arise and progress very quickly. Sounds extreme, but catching early is key to faster recovery.
I just came off several months of trouble with pressure sores on both heels, 5 surgeries on one and 3 on the other. Almost lost foot to infection. My doctors thought these wounds might never heal, because so much flesh was removed and I am on meds that hinder healing. I have been most blessed to have both sores now completely closed, skin looking best it has in two years. This trouble came from a new chemotherapy which caused my skin to break down all over, but heels and buttocks were the worst, because high pressure areas. Previous year, I had a very serious infection in one heel that took an entire year to heal, and kept re-opening. Fortunately, this time neither heel is re-opening.
Im so pleased to hear that the skin has healed and not re-opened wavewolf..i cant imagine what a nightmare that must have been for you
ridingdirty...... as wavewolf mentioned, skin inspections should become part of your daily routine. I hope it heals soon for you but yes if you have little sensation it is hard to tell when something is beginning to cause pressure
Wow wavewolf, that's crazy what you've been through! What caused all those pressure sores on your heals?! I'm glad that everything has healed now though so let's hope it stays that way
Post by kilg0retr0ut on Jan 9, 2014 7:42:26 GMT -8
I guess I'll be semi-off my left ankle for awhile, new sore. Same ankle I just healed one on. This one hasn't opened yet, but I can feel and see the hole right about where my left ankle is. Yeeha.
I did learn from my last one. Had an aggressive poditrist use this stuff called primatrix, not sure of the spelling, some kind of cow skin. Really messed up my ankle and it was so close to being healed. Never looked as good as it did at that point. Looks like it's rotten now.
You have been through alot wavewolf, You and others here are very strong. I hope I can learn to be as composed and enduring as you folks who are dealing with so much more than me, but right now I'm just pissed off.