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Skin thins with age and can become very weak. Older skin may injure easily and take longer to heal. Not eating and drinking enough, not being active, memory and thinking problems, pain and incontinence can lead to skin damage or sores. Pressure sores (sometimes called bed sores or pressure ulcers) can be caused by lying or sitting in one position for too long and are most likely to occur on the bony parts of the body, such as elbows, hips, ankles and the tailbone (sacrum, at the base of the spine). Pressure sores and skin tears are very painful and can take a long time to heal. They can cause other, sometimes severe, problems such as infections or permanent muscle or bone loss. Having a wound can mean your stay in hospital is longer. It can also reduce your independence and your ability to look after yourself once you leave hospital. Skin care in hospitalDuring a stay in hospital, your skin may be affected by the hospital environment, staying in bed or sitting in one position for too long, whether you are eating and drinking enough and your physical condition. Ask hospital staff to regularly check your skin, particularly if you feel any pain. There are some things that you can do to look after your skin, including:
Risks of pressure sores in hospitalA pressure sore (also called a ‘bed sore’ or ‘pressure ulcer’) is a painful wound that affects the skin and the flesh under it. If you sit in a chair or lie in a bed a lot, over time, the weight on the bony parts of your body stops blood from flowing. Pressure sores can particularly occur over bony areas such as:
Pressure sores can begin to form in as short a time as two hours and can be serious, potentially leading to infection that spreads to the bloodstream, if untreated. Pressure sores are more likely to develop in people who are undernourished or who leak urine or faeces involuntarily (are incontinent). Being undernourished makes the skin thin, dry, rigid, and more likely to tear or break. Being incontinent exposes the skin to moisture from urine and faeces, which can lead to irritation and pressure sores. Reducing your risk of pressure sores in hospitalKeeping mobile and moving is important for your skin. Movement increases blood supply to tissue and means you are not staying in bed in one position for too long. To avoid pressure sores, try to move regularly and check your skin. Try to:
Check your skin regularly for signs such as:
Let staff know if you see any changes to your skin that could lead to pressure sores. Eating healthy food and drinking enough water are also important in maintaining healthy skin and play a key role in wound healing. Make sure you eat regular main meals and snacks, and drink plenty of water (unless your doctor has told you not to). Where to get help
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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
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