What are the stages and clinical manifestations of pressure ulcers?

In real life, pressure sores are also called bedsores. They are a type of wound caused by long-term pressure on local skin. Pressure sores can easily lead to skin problems, and are also prone to infection and fever. In general, pressure sores are divided into many stages, and pressure sores in different stages will show different manifestations. Generally, pressure sores are manifested as local redness, swelling or pain.

Pressure ulcer stages and clinical manifestations

① Congestion and ruddy stage:

In the early stage of pressure sores, the local skin under pressure appears red, swollen, hot, numb or tender, but there is no damage to the skin surface.

② Inflammatory infiltration stage:

If the red and swollen area continues to be under pressure, blood circulation will not be improved, venous return will be blocked, the surface color of the compressed skin will turn purple-red, nodules will form under the skin, and blisters will appear on the epidermis. The blisters are very easy to rupture, revealing a moist and rosy wound surface, and the patient feels pain.

③ Shallow ulcer stage:

When the epidermal blisters rupture, a moist, ruddy wound surface with yellow exudate is revealed. After infection, the surface is covered with pus, causing superficial tissue necrosis and ulcer formation, and the patient feels increased pain.

④ Necrotic ulcer stage:

The infection spreads peripherally and deeply, invading the subdermis and muscle layer, and can reach the bone surface. The amount of purulent secretions increases, the necrotic tissue turns black and has a foul odor, and in severe cases, bacteria enter the blood and easily cause sepsis.

Patients with bedsores should pay attention to their diet.

1. Eating some heat-clearing, detoxifying, blood-activating and cooling foods, such as winter melon, day lily, fungus, cucumber, eggplant, etc.;

2. Drink more soups, such as pork bone and winter melon soup, seaweed soup, duck blood soup, loofah and egg soup, etc.; fruit drinks can be watermelon, banana, coconut juice, etc., you can also use mung bean soup or red bean soup, mung bean and lily soup, etc.

3. Eat more vegetable oils, such as peanut oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, etc., which have the effect of moisturizing the intestines and help relieve constipation.

4. Choose foods rich in plant fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, etc.

5. When pairing dishes, you should pay attention to the combination of meat and vegetables. Meat can provide a large amount of heat energy needed by the human body, but excessive consumption will harm the body. When combining meat and vegetables, it is best if the total amount of vegetables is twice or more than that of meat.