When someone stays in the same position for too long, the pressure on their skin can lead to a bedsore. The skin becomes irritated and inflamed. It may look red, pink or even purplish, like a minor bruise. The person who has the bedsore may complain about feelings of itching or burning, or there might be a slight feeling of warmth.
This sometimes leads people to believe that bedsores are just minor skin irritation caused by abrasion with another surface. But the reality is that these sores can be very serious as they progress.
It is important to know both how to avoid the formation of bedsores initially and how to seek appropriate medical attention when they occur. These are a very common problem in nursing homes, especially among elderly residents who need assistance with regular position changes to prevent the development of bedsores.
The later stages
If bedsores are not treated promptly, the later stages can become much worse.
- In stage two, the bedsore can become an open sore, like a blister. This is when significant pain often starts to set in.
- In stage three, the sore deepens as the bedsore moves through different layers of the skin. This often makes the skin look dark and concave.
- In the fourth stage, the damage from the bedsore can spread into other tissues besides the skin, affecting muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments, depending on where the bedsore is located.
This is also when the chances of infection become very high, and an infection in an elderly individual can sometimes be fatal.
As you can see, it is very important for family members to take bedsores seriously, seek proper medical attention when necessary and understand all of the legal options at their disposal.
