Skin Problems & Treatments Home Related to Skin Conditions Pressure Sores: Pressure-Relieving Devices and Supports - Topic Overview Several pressure-relieving devices and supports can be used to prevent or treat pressure sores. Special foam overlays for mattresses. Talk to your doctor about where to get this special foam for medical use. "Air-fluidized" support, which forces air through a special covering on the bed to make it softer or more like liquid. The air can be turned alternately on and off, to periodically relieve the pressure. This device can be used in a bed or on an operating table. Special sheepskin overlays on mattresses. Talk to your doctor about where to get this special sheepskin for medical use. Constant low-pressure supports, such as mattresses, overlays, and cushions made of high-density or contoured foam that can be filled with air, water, beads, or fiber. These supports help distribute body weight evenly and may relieve contact pressure.
Low air-loss beds, which have inflatable upright sacs made of a special fabric in their mattresses. The inflated sacs help distribute body weight more evenly over the mattress and may relieve pressure on the skin. The foam called "egg crate," with bumps that look like the inside of an egg carton, has been used in the past. But egg-crate foam has not been shown to help prevent or treat pressure sores.Showing: 1-24 of 71 Spenco SILICORE Pressure Relief Mattress Pad PG#: 00005v31004300 By: Spenco Premium pressure relief bed pad that prevents bed sores. Med Aire Variable Pressure Pump and Deluxe Pad System PG#: 00006v14001EFD By: Drive Med Aire alternating pressure mattress pad and pump system. Includes deluxe pad (end flaps) and variable pressure pump. Variable Pressure Pump and Pad by Drive PG#: 00006v14001E By: DriveIncludes standard pad (no flaps) and variable pressure pump. Convoluted Foam Bed Pads - Home Bed Sized
PG#: 000015vF9010E By: Essential Medical Home bed sized foam egg create mattress pads. Various thicknesses and sizes available. Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Replacement Mattress PG#: 00001vFG15019 By: Drive Deluxe, deep foam mattress intended for the prevention of pressure related bed sores and ulcers. Medline Aeroflow II Static Air Mattress With Hand Pump PG#: 00003vMSC061000 By: Medline Industries Comes with hand pump. 34 x 76 when inflated Med Aire Low Air Loss Alternating Pressure Mattress Overlay with Pump PG#: 00006v14025N By: Drive The product is designed to be used in the prevention, treatment and management of pressure ulcers. ShearCare 1500 Bariatric Dual Pressure Foam Mattress by Mason PG#: 00006v1500SC-42-FB By: Drive Protekt Aire 4000 Alternating Mattress System PG#: 00001vLV80040 By: Protekt Protekt Aire 4000 Alternating/Low Air Loss Mattress System, 1st defense for facilities to treat pressure ulcers stages I-IV.
DMI Radial Cut Memory Foam Pillow PG#: 000041v554-8011-4300 By: DMI Radial Cut Memory Foam Pillow Supports head and neck for optimal comfort and helps promote proper spine alignment Thera Pad Extra Thick Eggcrate Bed Pad (4 Inch) PG#: 00002v38004 By: Complete Medical Extra thick eggcrate-style bed pad. Increases comfort & prevents pressure sores. Medline Aero-Pulse Heavy-Duty Alternating Air Mattress Pad and Pump PG#: 00003vMSC80700A By: Medline Industries Medline 16-gauge vinyl pressure relief mattress pad with pump prevents bed sores. Premium Guard Static Air Mattress Overlay By Drive PG#: 00006v14428 By: Drive Unique construction allows for efficient air flow throughout mattress for use in the treatment and prevention of pressure sores. Airone Alternating Pressure Pump and Pad Set PG#: 00003vMSCAIRONE By: Airone Alternating air mattress by Medline. Prevents bed sores by reducing pressure using air pockets that alternately fill and empty.
Med Aire Alternating Pressure Mattress Replacement System PG#: 00006v14027 By: Drive The system provides alternating pressure and is designed to be used in the prevention, treatment and management of Pressure Ulcers. Med Aire Fixed Pressure Pump and Deluxe Pad PG#: 00006v14002E By: Drive 130 individual bubble cells for maximum comfort and effectiveness. Quiet pump technology alternately inflates and deflates the pads air cells. Gel Foam Mattress Overlay PG#: 00001vINVIVCGFMO2 By: Invacare 3.5 inch thick mattress overlay helps prevent and treat pressure ulcers. Vapor permeable waterproof cover with low friction and shear. Medline Aero-Pulse Pressure Pad PG#: 00003vMSC80706 By: Medline Industries Pad replacement for Medline Aero Pulse system. Relief-Care Pro Dual-Zone Foam Mattress with SMT PG#: 00002vHTM84 By: Complete Medical Uses advanced Surface Modification Technology to create a clinically effective support surface.
Dry Flotation Mattress Overlay-4 Section PG#: 00002vMATTSYSC By: Complete Medical Non-powered support surface for healing stage II, III & IV ischemic ulcers. Med Aire Standard Bubble Pad PG#: 00006v14003 By: Drive Standard Pad Only 78 Premium Guard Water Mattress By Drive PG#: 00006v14400 By: Drive Three water baffles enhance movement and support to reduce pressure and conform to varying body weights. Med Aire Deluxe Pad with End Flaps Only By Drive PG#: 00005v14334300 By: Medi-Aire Pressure Prevention Support Surface Mattress Overlay. Med Aire Low Air Loss Alternating Pressure Mattress Replacement PG#: 00006v14029DP By: DriveBedsores are Easier to Prevent Than to Heal The most important step is to avoid prolonged pressure on any one part of the body. By Clare Absher RN, BSN As a nurse, I have spent a considerable amount of time helping family caregivers deal with the challenge of preventing bedsores.
I will pass on some practical tips and care techniques regarding effective bedsore prevention that I have learned through my own and other's experiences. The most important step to prevent pressure sores is to avoid prolonged pressure on any one part of the body. The pressure can reduce the blood supply to the skin and the tissues under the skin. When a change in position doesn't occur often enough and the blood supply gets too low, a sore may form. The bedsore is a pressure ulcer that most often develops on a bony area of the body which has little fat to pad it and only a thin covering of flesh, such as the "tailbone", heels, elbows, and shoulder blades. Therefore any individual that is immobilized in bed or a wheelchair for extended periods of time, is at high risk for bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers. 16 Practical Tips to Prevent Bedsores: 1) Check the entire body every day for spots, color changes or other signs of sores. Pay particular attention to the pressure points over bony parts of the body that don't have much padding.
2) If you notice a discolored area, check for discomfort, warmness and blanching (whitening) of this area by pressing and then releasing as can be a sign of skin breakdown if does not blanche. 3) Keep skin healthy by keeping it clean and dry. Use a mild soap and moisturizers so skin doesn't get too dry. 4) Change wet diapers/clothing often to avoid skin contact with acidic-nature of urine. 5) Reduce friction (rubbing) by lifting rather than dragging. Avoid use of donut shape cushions. 6) Limit raising the head of the bed above 30 degrees, as this can allow the skin to slide over the bed surface causing damage. 7) Avoid massaging skin over vulnerable bony areas. 8) Change body position at least every 2 hours and more frequently in a chair. 9) Place pillows under legs from mid-calf to ankle to keep heels off the bed. Do not place pillows under the knees as it can cut off circulation. 10) Encourage and provide diet with adequate calories, protein, vitamin C and other nutrients, as the body will be less susceptible to skin breakdown.
11) Reinforce adequate hydration by encouraging frequent intake of fluids throughout the day. 12) Control blood sugars levels for those with Diabetes. 13) Avoid laying directly on hip bone when lying on side. Use pillows under side so that weight rests on fleshy part of buttock instead of hip bone. 14) Use pillows to keep knees and ankles apart. When lying on back, place a pillow under lower calves to lift ankles slightly off the bed. 15) When sitting in a chair or wheelchair, sit upright and straight as this position will allow easier movement and shifting to help prevent sores. 16) Use pressure-reducing devices. Egg crate foam mattress pads, gel pads, sheepskin pads, wheelchair cushions, and alternating air mattresses can prevent and minimize the risk of pressure ulcers. Keep in mind that using these devices doesn't eliminate the need to reposition. Clare Absher is a Registered Nurse with over 37 years of experience. Most of her experience is in home health serving as a caregiver, educator, patient advocate, and liaison between families and community resources.