How to manage pressure ulcers after the skin has broken
Jan 11, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Introduction
After the bedsore has broken through the skin, fully expose the affected area and use a cotton swab dipped in povidone-iodine to gently disinfect the wound. Allow the povidone-iodine to air dry, then open the silver sulfadiazine cream tube, squeeze out an appropriate amount of ointment, and gently apply it around the broken skin. Cover the wound with a sterile gauze pad and secure it in place with medical tape.
In general, after a pressure ulcer has broken the skin, it can be treated with silver sulfadiazine cream as directed by a healthcare provider. The specific steps are as follows:
1. A medical professional will prepare tweezers, iodophor, sterile cotton balls, sterile gloves, silver sulfadiazine cream, sterile gauze, and adhesive tape.
2. The patient should fully expose the area where the pressure ulcer has broken the skin.
3. Using tweezers to hold a sterile cotton ball soaked in iodophor, gently disinfect the area of the broken skin.
4. After allowing the iodophor to dry, the healthcare provider puts on sterile gloves, opens the silver sulfadiazine cream tube, squeezes out an appropriate amount, and gently applies it around the affected area.
5. Place a sterile gauze dressing over the wound and secure it with adhesive tape.
It is recommended that patients seek treatment at a reputable medical facility and follow the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider when a pressure ulcer breaks the skin. For patients who are bedridden for long periods, regularly change their body position and maintain good skin hygiene through frequent cleaning to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.
