Bedsores affect people who are confined to bed for long periods of time.
Individuals who are particularly exposed to being affected by bedsores are:
- The elderly
- The physically handicapped; e.g. individuals who are bedridden, suffer from paralysis, or undergo prolonged anaesthesia
- Individuals who have a reduced tactile sense
- Individuals with a reduced circulation, including smokers of long standing
- Diabetics
- Skinny, malnourished, or dehydrated individuals
- Overweight individuals
- Individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis
- Individuals who are being treated with adrenocortical hormones
In most cases, bedsores appear in areas where the weight of the body lies upon underlying bone because the skin is thinner in these areas. Typically, bedsores appear on the heals, buttocks, hips, lower back, elbows, shoulders, and on the edge of the ears.
Besores can be divided into degrees of severity:
1st degree
Blushing of the skin in the affected area which is somewhat painful. A small damage to the tissue and an inflammatory reaction has occured. The blushing does not disappear when pressing a finger against the skin. This condition is normalized after the pressure is relieved.
2nd degree
Blisters have formed on the skin and this can very quickly result in superficial wounds. The condition is painful.
3rd degree
The wound has penetrated the subcutis but has been stopped by the membrane between the subcutis and the muscular tissue. Black, dead tissue can be observed, and possibly fistula (openings down into underlying pus). The condition is often painless as the sensory nerves have been damaged.
4th degree
The wound has now penetrated into the muscular tissue and possibly also the bone. Dead tissue and inflammation, possibly with fistula, will be present and the wound will easily become infected with fungi or bacteria. The condition is rarely painful because of the damaged sensory nerves.
