Oxygen and nutrients are distributed through the capillaries to the internal organs. The walls of the vessels are subtle and when they are squeezed, the blood flow slows down. It happens that a person does not move more than two hours. In this case, blood flow ceases altogether. This process provokes the occurrence of soft tissue necrosis.
If anti-decubitus drugs are not used, then necrosis will affect muscle and bone tissue in all layers. The degree of necrosis is determined by the depth of the pathological process. In total, four stages of damage are distinguished.
What parts of the body are affected most often?
The place of formation of skin necrosis directly depends on the posture that the patient takes.
Most often, bedsores appear in the following areas of the body:
- Nape, shoulder blades, sacrum and heels. In this case, the patient lies on his back.
- The area of limb flexion, since the skin in these areas is thin.
- Ankles when the patient is on his side.
How to help in this case and prevent the development of deep damage? First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pathological process, pay attention to provoking factors, and, of course, select special anti -decubitus drugs (ointments, creams, gels , dressings) that contribute to the care of the skin of a sick person.
Degrees of necrosis
- First degree. It manifests itself in a slight reddening without disturbing the structure of the skin. After a light massage or a change in body posture, it passes.
- Second degree. With her, redness is noted, which does not go away even after a change in posture. Perhaps the appearance of painful ulcers, blisters, erosion, vesicles, superficial growths. The structure of the skin is damaged.
- The third degree is expressed in a deep skin lesion. At this stage, all layers of the skin are inflamed. The stages are characterized by swelling, ulcers with depressions and intense redness. Ulcers are filled with yellow contents or red granulation. Wounds exude an unpleasant odor.
- The fourth degree is a dead skin area with an abundance of ulcers, filled with pieces of black skin.
Causes of bedsores
The main causes of tissue necrosis include:
- prolonged stay of a person in a supine position (patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, spinal cord injury, etc.);
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- increased sweating
- dirty and wet bedding;
- inadequate skin hygiene;
- the presence of folds on the sheet, buttons on clothes, crumbs in bed;
- vascular and heart diseases;
- the presence of diabetes.
A number of important reasons for the appearance of necrosis include:
- Careless handling of a bed patient.
- Fast flipping.
- A rare change of linen.
- Squeezing the skin of the vessel during which the smallest capillaries burst. The flow of blood to these areas is severely impaired.
Antidecubital drugs in Mogilev pharmacies are represented by a wide range of various ointments for dressings and creams for patients suffering from pressure sores. Means are able to stop the process of necrosis of skin tissues and significantly improve the quality of life of the patient.
Fundamentals of bedsore prevention
The main task facing a person caring for a bedridden patient is the implementation of preventive measures to help prevent necrosis of the skin. Pressure ulcers bring pain to a person and therapy is very difficult to treat. It is always easier to carry out preventive procedures than condemning a loved one to incredible suffering and prolonged therapy.
Prevention of necrosis includes a number of activities that are ongoing. A key rule should be highlighted: careful care of the patient's skin should include daily rubbing and washing.
Fixed assets for the prevention of pressure sores
For preventive purposes, the following anti-decubitus drugs are used:
- ointments;
- gels;
- dressings;
- mattresses;
- pillows;
- rubber ring;
- quartz based irradiators.
Bedsore therapy
The pathological process of the first and second degree can be eliminated at home with the help of such means as anti-decubitus drugs, and treatment takes a long time. But the result is worth it. Pressure ulcers of the third and fourth degree are eliminated only in a hospital.
Therapy of skin necrosis includes two stages:
- restoration of blood flow in the damaged area;
- cleansing the wound from pus and necrotic inclusions.
The restoration of blood circulation is possible with the help of mattresses, massage, changing the position of the patient's body.
To clean the necrotic wounds and their regeneration, special dressings are provided.
According to the type of impact on the damaged area, dressings from pressure sores are usually divided into two categories:
- Cleansers. They draw out pus and exudate.
- Healing. Such agents promote tissue regeneration.
The division is conditional, since all dressings help to cleanse and accelerate the restoration of the skin structure.
Dressings against pressure sores come in many forms:
- Anti-decubitus hygiene products, which are used to stop necrosis in easily accessible areas of the human body. Usually used products in the form of a square or rectangle.
- Dressings designed to treat the sacral region. They are in the shape of a butterfly or a heart.
- Products to eliminate pressure sores on the heels. A bandage in the shape of a butterfly or trefoil is used.
Cleansing dressings against necrosis
The most common model for dressings from pressure sores are products with a cleansing effect. Today, the use of "Hydrocol", "Hydrosorb", "TenderVet activity" is highly effective.
The hydrocall dressing is applied to the affected area for 3-8 days. It helps to cleanse the wound, absorbs purulent contents, turning it into a gel-like state.
The Hydrosorb dressing helps to create a moist environment in the wound that stimulates the rejection of dead tissue and its healing.
The bandages of the company TenderVet Activiti are created in the form of soft pillows. They are saturated with Ringer's raster, which creates the effect of continuous washing of the wound during the day. They reject necrotic tissue and contribute to the regeneration of the damaged area of the skin.
Deep wound cleansing and stretching dressings
What are the anti - decubitus drugs? Species calculated for deep bedsores with exudate and pus are diverse. Among them, Sorbalgon and PermaForm should be noted.
The basis of "Sorbalgon" is a sterile material that introduces into the recess of an extensive bedsore. The material helps to absorb pus, cleans the bottom of the wound, hardens, and then is easily removed from the wound. If the bottom of the bedsore is clean, then the cotton material takes the form of a gel, disinfects the wound and flows out of it itself.
The Permaform dressing is a sponge-based matrix. It also absorbs pus and exudate. It is removed without pain. It leaves behind an environment that promotes the healing of necrosis.
Means for healing
The most commonly used dressings include Atrauman and Branolind. What features do these anti-decubitus remedies have?
The Atrauman dressing has a mesh base. It is covered with a thin layer of silver and hydrophilic ointment. The tool has a bactericidal property, provides disinfection of the wound and contributes to the speedy regeneration of the damaged area.
The Branolind dressing also consists of a net that is saturated with Peruvian balsam. The tool has an antiseptic and healing effect.
Gel Overview
Anti-decubitus drugs are represented by a wide segment of various gels. Among the brands of creams used to treat skin necrosis, the following should be noted:
- Gel "Argosulfan". The active base of the drug is sulfathiazole. It inhibits the growth and reproduction of pathogens. Excipients are silver ions. They enhance the therapeutic effect of sulfatizole, as well as inhibit the growth of the bacterial flora. The hydrophilic base of the drug has an analgesic effect, moisturizes the wound and accelerates the process of its regeneration. The concentration of the cream base does not have a toxic effect. Treatment of the bedsores with Argosulfan cream can be carried out by the open method or used in parallel with an occlusive dressing. The drug should be applied to the entire surface of a sanitized wound with a thickness of 2-3 mm two or three times a day. The course of treatment is 2 months. The tool is used daily. Such anti-decubitus drugs like Sulfargin and Dermazin have a similar effect.
- Cream "Iruksol". The composition of the product includes chloramphenicol collagenase and related enzymes. The enzymatic agent cleans pressure sores, prevents the breakdown of tissues affected by necrosis, deprives bacteria of the nutrient medium, and has an antibacterial effect. The cream is applied to the disinfected skin. The preparation provides quick healing of damaged tissues.
- Ointment "Levosin B". The basis of the drug is levomycetin, which has an antimicrobial effect. Also included is sulfadimethoxin, which promotes wound healing, methyluracil and a local anesthetic trimecaine. Ointment has a quick therapeutic effect. It helps to cleanse the bedsore from pus and exudate, as well as the healing of the affected surface. It is applied daily. It is applied to a disinfected surface and covered with a bandage. Perhaps its introduction into the cavity with pus through a syringe.
- Means "Levomekol". In addition to methyluracil, chloramphenicol is included in the composition. This tool helps to heal wounds. It is used in the presence of pressure sores and infections, as well as in the purulent stage of the necrotic process.
- Metronidazole Cream. Its basis is an antibacterial substance. The gel is used with the material for dressings and helps eliminate odors from wounds. In the presence of pressure sores with abundant discharge of pus or exudate, bandages based on foam with metronidazole are used. In the presence of dry bedsores, hydrogel dressings are used.
- Hydrogel "Intrasayt" provides skin cleansing of necrotic tissue, gently cares for the skin. The hydrogel is used with an external dressing, the frequency of which depends on the state of the wound. The tool provides a quick cleansing of the affected tissue, since under its influence the exudate and pus are drawn out. IntraSite is a pure amorphous gel, which includes water, propylene glycol and a modified carboxymethyl cellulose polymer.
Remedies for pressure sores on the heel
Antidecubital means for heels are represented by a wide range. Among them, the Komfil product is especially popular. It is equipped with special “ears” for fixing on the leg. The pillow has a round ergonomic shape that follows the contours of the heel. It is used to heal clean wounds on the heel surface without symptoms of necrosis infection.
The tool serves as an excellent defense of inflamed tissue, as well as prevention from secondary infection. Depending on the extent of the lesion, the use of 2-5 dressings is recommended. The exposure time is 2-5 days.
If the wound contains necrosis of exudate or pus, then anti-decubitus agents for heels are used, helping to cleanse the wound and stop the inflammatory process. Among them, Proteox-TM should be noted. The product promotes the rapid healing of affected skin.
Advantages of the Comfil Plus dressing with a patch circle
The Comfil Plus dressing is an advanced model. The advantage of the product lies in the presence of special backing rings. They are located on the outer and inner sides of the product, removed one at a time, starting from the center of the dressing.
To select the desired size, special elastic "ears" are provided, allowing reliable fixation of the bandage in the heel. The tool provides quick healing of the wound, accelerates the process of tissue regeneration, prevents the penetration of pressure ulcers of secondary infections. One dressing lasts for 2-6 days. A rare change is useful for the speedy healing of wounds, and also provides the patient with comfort.
The main advantages of the dressing:
- the product has softness and elasticity;
- able to relieve pain;
- nerve endings and inflamed tissue are protected by an absorbing gel;
- the dressing does not cause injuries, does not cause pain during the shift, does not cause allergies;
- reliable fixation of the product is ensured by an adhesive edge without the presence of additional dressings.
Before applying the dressing, it is recommended to sanitize the heel surface. For this purpose, an agent such as Furacilin or Rivanol can be used. The skin around the wound is dried. The size of the dressing should be 2 cm larger than the size of the wound. The bandage is applied to the inflamed skin and is fixed on healthy skin through the "ears". The rings are removed until the product ceases to load the heel. As pus and exudate are absorbed, the dressing changes color. It becomes transparent. In this case, a change is required.
Anti-decubitus drugs (dressings) are not used for deep bedsores with wounds and wound pockets. Also not used for infection of necrosis.
Reviews of modern anti-decubitus remedies
Anti-decubitus drugs (creams, gels, dressings), according to many, have a high level of effectiveness in stopping the necrotic skin process. Products are very convenient to use. Do not cause patient discomfort. And most importantly, in the shortest possible time can remove the main symptoms of damage to the skin at the 1st or 2nd stage.
Anti-decubitus drugs, the reviews of which are the best, relieve swelling and pain, eliminate exudate and pus from pressure sores, have an antimicrobial effect, and prevent the development of a secondary infection.
Folk recipes for bedsores
In addition to the funds offered by official medicine, there are many recipes used by the people. They are based on natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the skin.
How to make yourself anti-decubitus drugs? Folk recipes are different.
The following are some of the most common:
5 drops of essential oil of myrrh, chamomile and tea tree are placed in glass dishes. The mixture is added 2 tbsp. l jojoba oil and 12 drops of lavender oil. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and placed in a dark place. The drug is dripped 2-6 drops per wound, and then covered with a dry bandage. It is recommended to apply twice a day. Before use, the product is shaken. Such a recipe is able to relieve pain, eliminate infection, swelling and unpleasant odor from necrosis.
The following recipe gives the skin a feeling of cleanliness and freshness. 100 g of camphor alcohol and shampoo for children are taken. The components are thoroughly mixed. The resulting mixture wiped wounds.
Ointment based on calendula flowers. You should take 20 g of dried flowers and grind them in a coffee grinder. 50 g of petroleum jelly is added to the powder. Everything is thoroughly mixed. The mixture is applied to the wound 2-3 times a day.
The following remedy relieves pain and swelling, eliminates the infectious process in necrosis. You should take 100 g of sunflower oil and add 30 g of beeswax to it. Everything is thoroughly mixed and cooled. Ointment lubricates the inflamed areas of the skin.
This recipe is simple and powerful. It is necessary to grind two onion heads, add 2 tbsp to the resulting mass. l vegetable oil. Onions are cooked in an enamel bowl for 20 minutes, then filtered through a colander. In the remaining oil, melt 1/4 of the church candle. With this ointment, necrosis is lubricated twice a day. The mixture is stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Pressure ulcer is a violation of the structure of the skin. The process is provoked by squeezing the capillaries. Most often, pathology is observed in bedridden patients. To prevent the development of necrosis, it is recommended that preventive measures be taken. The main condition is compliance with hygiene measures.
In the event of a pathology, it is possible to provide assistance to the patient at home only in the initial stages. For this purpose, various anti-decubitus drugs (ointments, dressings, creams and gels) are used that have anti-inflammatory effects. Modern drugs have a high degree of effectiveness.
At the last stages, necrosis is difficult to treat, since the process takes on a deep character. In this case, the patient requires therapy in a hospital setting.