Pressure ulcers are triggered by pressure against the skin for a long duration of time. The pressure results in reduced circulation thus leading to skin breakdown. It is difficult to treat pressure once it forms and having understanding of the potential sources of skin breakdown is very important especially on a geriatric patient. It is crucial for clinicians to take into considerations other causes of skin breakdown apart from pressure ulcer alone to ensure appropriate and effective treatment for a patient ( Boyko, Longaker & Yang, 2018).
The causes of skin breakdown include pressure. Constant pressure on any body part can result in decreased flow of blood to the tissues. Pressure against any part of the body limits the flow of blood to the skin. The flow of blood is imperative to the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to different body tissues. Lack of these essential nutrients can cause damage to the skin and surrounding tissues thereby resulting to death eventually. In individuals with limited mobility, this type of pressure are likely to occur in places that are not do not lie over a bone such as elbows, heels, shoulder blades, tall bone, and spine, or areas that are not well-padded with fat or muscle ( Reid, Ayello & Alavi, 2016).
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Other factors that can result to limited mobility because of skin damage, which eventually develops pressure sores, include friction. In most cases friction happens when the skin and beddings or clothing rub against one another. This makes the skin become fragile thus making it susceptible to injury, particularly in cases where the skin in characterized by moistness. Moreover, shear, which happens when two surfaces move in contrasting directions, causes skin breakdown. For example, as the tailbone moves downwards, the skin that lays over the bone can remain intact thereby pulling in the reverse direction ( Mervis & Phillips, 2019).
References
Boyko, T. V., Longaker, M. T., & Yang, G. P. (2018). Review of the current management of pressure ulcers. Advances in wound care , 7 (2), 57-67.
Mervis, J. S., & Phillips, T. J. (2019). Pressure Ulcers: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Presentation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .
Reid, K., Ayello, E. A., & Alavi, A. (2016). Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment: use of prophylactic dressings. Chronic Wound Care Management and Research , 3 , 117-121.
