Decubitus ulcers are formation of ulcers on skin and the underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure on skin. Hence also called pressure ulcers or pressure sores or bedsores. These ulcers are mostly develop on the skin that covers the bony area like tailbone, heels, ankles on lateral sides and hips.
Mostly these ulcers can be healed completely but in individuals who are diabetic, ulcers may not be easy to heal. This is due to poor blood supply to the areas.
Symptoms
- In very early stage the skin becomes discoloured. Skin is swollen and warm to touch. Pain in the affected areas.
- Later stages skin breaks off showing erosion or the ulcer affecting the deeper layers from muscles to bones. Oozing of fluid is seen with rawness.
- Infection with pus may be seen on the affected areas.
- Tenderness on touch persists.
Causes
- Pressure against the skin limits the blood flow lead to decubitus ulcers. Limited blood supply and poor nutrition damage the skin tissue leading to death of the cells.
- Individuals with immobility have very poor blood supply and due to pressure over the parts lied on become sores. Due to poor hygiene there is increased risk.
- Skin becomes vulnerable to injury as the skin gets rubbed against friction.
- Moisture on skin due to immobility urine and sweat may persist constantly in the areas where airway is less. So, easy erosion of skin can be seen.
- If the skin is also too fragile then there is high risk for ulcers.
- Long term diabetes could be a contributing factor for decubitus ulcers as there will be poor blood circulation.
Management
- Avoiding tight clothing on the affected areas. Airway should be adequate in order to heal.
- Wound care should be properly done.
- Skin debridement should be done to remove the dead tissue in order to avoid further infections.
- Mobility- where ever possible conditions are present mobility is necessary or repositioning on bed frequently helps.
Homeopathic approach
Pressure sore are common in immbolie individuals. Care and mangaement is necessary for properly healing. Besides this Homeopathic medication helps in faster healing of ulcers. Aurum mur and Syphilinum are remedies for degeneration of deep layers of skin. For oozing of fluid or pus, remedies like Hepar sulph, Merc sol and Silicea are helpful for drying up of skin. Kali iod and Graphites helps in clearing of dead tissue. For quicker healing blood supply should be adequate. Remedies like Arnica and Hamamellis are helpful for better blood supply. Thus reducing itching. In bacterial infections Anthracinum and Pyrogenum helps to reduce the infection. Carbo veg and Secale cor are helpful in later stage of ulcer.
At Gouri Homeo Healthway looking into your pathological findings and symptoms present we offer best remedies to see that the conditions becomes better. And also our protocols helps in good circulation and reduces infections further.
