A 32-year-old member asked:
How can i treat bed sores?
7 doctor answers • 17 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michio Abeanswered
Internal Medicine 27 years experience
Bedsores: Bedsores fall into one of four stages based on their severity. The appropriate treatment would depend on the stage of your bedsores. The first step in treating a sore at any stage is relieving the pressure that caused it. See a doctor for evaluation.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Vasu Brownanswered
Integrative Medicine 35 years experience
Avoid same position: Try to keep changing position so there is no prolonged pressure. Orally supplement glutamine will nourish skin and prevent skin breakdown.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Jorge Valdesanswered
Wound care 26 years experience
Remove pressure : The first line of treatment is taking pressure away from the affected area with the use of pillows, etc. The sores should be evaluated and treated by a wound care specialist who will start a wound care treatment protocol.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Milleranswered
Wound care 37 years experience
Simple treatment: Bedsores are caused by unrelieved pressure over boney areas but are also caused by friction and deep tissue shearing so moving around worsens them. The keys are simple, get them and keep them off the area entirely as much as possible. Make sure they have good nutrition to help healing. Avoid medicines that slow down healing like antiinflammatories Motrin or advil (ibuprofen). Skilled wound docs are key.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Kenneth Leeanswered
Surgery - Plastics 22 years experience
Pressure wounds: Pressure wounds are all about pressure off loading. Alleviation of the pressure / decreased blood flow is the key. Therefore environmental modification of beds, turning routine, and wheel chairs are of paramount importance. Wound care with adequate surgery to clear the bad tissue is also important. Nutrition should be optimized. Occasionally flaps are done on full thickness wounds.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Robert Wintersanswered
Infectious Disease 36 years experience
Antipressure measure: Frequent position changes will prevent and heal existing wounds. Avoid staying in any single position more than two hours if confined to bed, along with cushioning of current wounds. Appropriate nutritional support and antibiotic treatment if wounds become infected are also important considerations.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Donald Alvesanswered
Emergency Medicine 25 years experience
Need more info...: Bed sores or pressure ulcers can develop in at-risk skin in 2 hours, which is why hospitals rotate position of immobile patients with that frequency. Treatment depends on severity, but if mild, a protective cover (moleskin or similar) and pressure avoidance / repositioning, can allow it to heal. Pharmacies often have more sophisticated dressings that protect and cushion, some need a doctor's order.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 48-year-old member asked:
How to treat pressure "bed sores"?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Alvin Linanswered
Geriatrics 31 years experience
Remove risk factors: Bed sores or pressure ulcers/wounds are caused by ischemia (lack of blood flow). Pay attention to how often you move or shift in place even in a comfortable chair. That's to avoid excess pressure & lack of flow in key areas such as bony prominences. Best way to treat is therefore to remove risk factor, eg immobility: change position frequently. Clean wound (enzymatic or mechanically). Eat protein.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
What are effective ways to treat bed sores?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Bac Nguyenanswered
Family Medicine 24 years experience
Avoid the pressure: It sounds easy but can be quite difficult to avoid pressure in very dependent areas such as the buttocks and sides of hips. In order for it to heal, you must avoid or at least minimize laying on it. A softer bed surface, and frequent rotations may help, as well as some cushioning support for certain areas. It is best if you can consult a wound care specialist n nurse to eval at home. Good luck.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What are bed sores?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. TED FEDERanswered
41 years experience
Unhealthy Tissue: Bed sores or pressure ulcers are tissue lesions caused by poor circulation and pressure to the tissues.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 8, 2019
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