It’s very important to understand the symptoms and signs of bed sores, and to ensure healing is achieved with the proper measures. Failure to do so can easily result in severely infected sores that may threaten the life of the patient, as infection can spread to the heart, bones, and blood. Amputation is a risk, as is urinary tract and respiratory infection, because bed sore treatment requires lessened physical activity.

Recognizing the symptoms of bed sores and knowing how to treat them is a vital part of senior care, something the staff at Visiting Angels in Toms River, NJ are thoroughly trained in. If you believe an elderly loved one has or is susceptible to bed sores, discuss treatment options with your Visiting Angels caregiver after learning a little more about wound stages:

• Stage 1: Skin is red or discolored, may be hard and or warm to the touch and remains red when pressed. Treatment requires staying off the affected area and keeping it clean and dry, drinking more water, eating a healthy, protein-rich diet, and inspecting the area twice daily. If it worsens following two to three days of treatment, seek professional assistance.
• Stage 2: The epidermis, or top layer, of skin is broken. Pus or other fluid may leak from the sore. Treatment is the same as Stage 1, and a health care practitioner must be notified immediately. Stage 2 sores take three days to three weeks to heal.

• Stage 3: The wound has reached the dermis (skin’s second layer), and generally features signs of infection such as pus, odor, red or inflamed skin, and greenish drainage. Dead or black tissue may also be present. Treatment involves getting pressure off the sore and seeking special wound care. A special bed or pressure-relieving mattress may also be required. Stage 3 sores heal in one to four months.
• Stage 4: Wound has extended to the muscle if not the bone. Possibility of infection is high, and the sore is usually accompanied by dead tissue and drainage. Surgery is the general treatment for bed sores at this stage. Such sores take three months to two years to heal.

If you believe your older loved one is suffering from bed sores, talk to your Visiting Angels caregiver about the next steps right away. For more on home care, companionship, and other services available through Visiting Angels in Toms River, NJ, simply call (732)-240-1050 or visit the website today.