Caution: Bedsores on heels, ankles, and the skin behind the knees

Have you had a loved one confined to bed for a long time? Just like someone who uses a wheelchair, excessive pressure is placed on certain areas of the body, and this can present a difficult problem to address. 

Spending too much time in bed or sitting can lead to bedsores, which require special care. 

While it's known that bedsores can appear in areas like the tailbone, hips, and back, the truth is that these aren't the only places. They can also appear on the heels, ankles, and the skin behind the knees.

What are bedsores, symptoms and causes? 

A bedsore can occur due to pressure, but also due to friction or rubbing, leaving a lesion so deep that it affects muscles and bones.

Spending too much time in bed or a chair increases the risk. And although there are treatments for them, it's always much better to prevent them, especially since some bedsores don't go away completely. 

They are also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores. They usually appear on the back of the body (neck, back, buttocks), but also on the skin covering bony areas such as the heels, ankles, and the skin behind the knees. 

Common symptoms of a pressure ulcer (PU)

• Changes in the temperature of the affected area. 
• More sensitive area than normal. 
• Color changes. 
• Cracks, blisters, flakes or tears. 
• It drains a fluid that is similar to pus. 
• Swelling. 
• Redness. 
• Different texture. 

How to prevent bedsores?

There are situations that would increase the chances of developing bedsores: 

• Diseases that affect blood flow (diabetes and vascular diseases). 
• Incontinence (due to prolonged exposure to urine and feces). 
• Immobility. 
• Poor nutrition and hydration. 
• Loss of sensory perception (not feeling discomfort due to a spinal cord injury). 

Tips to reduce the likelihood of skin lesions

1. Keep skin clean and dry. 
2. Change position every two hours. 
3. Change your weight support frequently. 
4. Find a special wheelchair. 
5. Adjust the bed elevation. 
6. Use pillows, protectors or products that relieve pressure. 

Solutions for the prevention of bedsores 

Bedsores are lesions on the skin and deep tissue that result from prolonged pressure on the skin and can develop over a matter of days or even hours.

To prevent them or to provide relief if the patient already has them, you can count on the help of some care products specially designed for this situation.

Total care with the TheraHeel Anti-Decubitus Heel Protector 

Because bedsores can also occur on the heels, this protector covers this area and provides maximum comfort. This prevents bedsores and provides full support for the foot.

Its material allows you to eliminate pain points for comfortable rest and keeps your feet so comfortable that they remain in a state of continuous floating. 

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Clean, dry skin with the TheraBoot heel protector cushion 

To reduce contact of the skin of the heels and calves against the bedding, this cushion is ideal.

It offers secure support and flexible material at the same time. The result is a device that reduces friction and wicks away moisture, which is achieved by allowing air to circulate constantly to keep the skin dry. 

Unsurpassed care with the MultiFoam four-foam mattress with anti-bedsore heel pad 

This mattress has it all: not one, not two, but four different foams placed in key areas of the body for specific purposes.

The central area, for example, features gel-infused memory foam for a cool night's sleep.

But in the case of heel pressure ulcers, the lower area of ​​the mattress cushions the weight and provides soft support to the feet, thus reducing the risk of developing pressure ulcers.

To make it even more functional, its washable cover makes it easier and faster to clean the patient. 

Preventing bedsores is part of quality of life

Whether bedridden or wheelchair-bound, bedsores are a silent enemy that can cause problems with a person's well-being. As we've seen, leaving them untreated can lead to even more serious problems that could compromise their health. 

Fortunately, there are both habits and products that can help not only treat them but also prevent them. The advice of a health expert is key throughout this process.