View Full Version : Slight pressure sore....need advice.
I developed a small sore up and to the right of my tailbone and am concerned about it. When I am in my chair there is hardly any to no pressure on it, but when I am in bed there is pressure on it. If I lay on my side will it go away and should I put anything on it like a bandage or neosporin on it at all? I developed this damn thing after being too long on the shower chair and have eliminated the problem. What else can I do? Thanks.
lynnifer
06-19-2006, 11:05 PM
If it isn't open - I wouldn't put any ointment on it at all - moisture might make it break open. Maybe dry gauze if you want to protect it or it looks in danger of opening.
If you're keeping pressure off of it, you're already doing 80% of what you need to do! Sleep on your sides - if you want to sleep on your back you'll have to look into some sort of pressure relieving mattress.
Good for you for catching it so fast!
SCI-Nurse
06-20-2006, 12:11 AM
Hi,
The main thing is to keep the pressure off. When in bed, stay on your sides. Be sure that when in the chair, it is not hitting the to of your cushion or the back of the chair to cause pressure.
If there is just redness and no open area, keeping the pressure off with 1-2x daily skin inspection is good. If there is any superficial open area, wash it apply saline soaked gauze 2-3x daily. If it is deeper than this, has redness or pus or you have a fever, I would see your doctor right away.
AAD
It's a little red and a bit raw, but has gone down in size. Do I keep it moist all the time or do I let the air hit it? What medications do the doctors usually suggest so I have an idea when I ask him? I've also heard about Duodam or Duoderm. Do I need something like that? I've never had one of these in 6 years and it kinda has me spooked. Thanks
One other thing...what is Silvadine Cream? Thanks
lynnifer
06-20-2006, 11:23 PM
If it isn't open I wouldn't put anything on it.. I don't like Duoderm.. but we'll wait for the wise nurse to chime in.
Broknwing
06-20-2006, 11:39 PM
One other thing...what is Silvadine Cream? Thanks
Silvadine cream is a cream used on burns...I don't know if it's also used on pressure sores. I have some from a bad burn I had last year, worked WONDERFUL...
The whole area is around the size of a silver dollar which is mostly pink, but there is one small piece is open but uninfected. I started last night with the saline soaked gauze and a piece of Tagaderm covering it. I did the same thing this morning when I got up and into the chair. I really lucked out by it not being on a bone and this was a definite wake up call as I got kinda lazy over the last couple of years. Why don't you like Duoderm Lynnifer?
maladjusted
06-21-2006, 09:20 AM
Keep right off it, no pressure on it at all. Pressure sores start from below the skin, there may be dead tissue below the healthy looking tissue. I use granuflex.
lynnifer
06-21-2006, 11:59 AM
Why don't you like Duoderm Lynnifer?
For people who are easily irritated by tape (like me), it causes maceration which in turn causes the skin tissues to separate (think prune-like) therefore making the wound bigger.
If you have a wound with large exudate (weepage), duoderm is messy, useless and can cause wrinkles and therefore further problems - but it shouldn't be used for such a wound anyway.
Some people swear by it - a thick skin that acts as a barrier .. but not for me. Never had any luck with it at all, ever.
SCI-Nurse
06-21-2006, 12:39 PM
Hi,
If you have a small area that is open and uninfected, then you have several choices. Keeping the pressure off is the most important.
You can stick with the saline gauze as sores require a clean base (which is sounds like yours is) and moisture to heal. Some people like duoderm because it provides a closed system and provides moisture. But as Lynnifer said, it can cause maceration in some people. Another choice would be a product such as hydrogel which provides moisture for clean wounds.
Key is examining it daily to assess progress to see if there is more underneath the visible sore. There is another thread going on granulex but I have no experience with this product.
AAD
Thanks all...I'll keep you posted.