Tailbone ulcers are often caused by prolonged pressure, common in people with paralysis, fractures of the pelvis and femur, especially in the elderly, poor nutrition, and overweight. When there is an ulcer in the sacrum, the care is even more difficult. Here are the common causes of tailbone ulcers.
1. Why does the patient have a tailbone ulcer?
When the patient lies on his back or sits for too long, the weight of the body is mainly concentrated in the coccyx area, leading to ulcers in the coccyx. Pressure on the tissue and the part of the blood vessels that nourish the tissue in this area makes it impossible for blood to come and nourish the tissue and skin, from which the skin at the coccyx is damaged and necrotic. Injury initially occurs in the internal tissues near the bone and then destroys the surface of the skin. Therefore, to detect the first signs of pressure ulcers in the coccyx, it is necessary to pay attention and observe the patient closely and regularly.
2. Causes of tailbone sores
The three main factors that contribute to tailbone ulcers are:
- Pressure: Constant pressure on any part of the body can reduce blood flow to tissues. Blood flow is needed to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to tissues. Without these essential nutrients, the skin and surrounding tissues become damaged and may eventually die. For people with limited mobility, this type of pressure tends to occur in areas that are not well padded with muscle or fat and are located on bones, such as the spine, coccyx, shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows.
- Friction: Friction occurs when the skin rubs against clothing or bedding. It can make delicate skin more vulnerable, especially if it's still damp.
- Cut: The shear force occurs when two surfaces move in opposite directions. For example, when you raise the head of the bed, you can slide down the bed. As the tailbone moves down, the skin over the bone can stay in place - essentially pulling in the opposite direction.
3. Grading of tailbone ulcers
In the US in 1989, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) gave a classification of ulcer grades based on the clinical manifestations observed at the ulcer:
Grade I: Pink blisters appear on the affected area of the skin (an early warning sign of a pressure ulcer).
Grade II: Incomplete damage to the thickness of the skin, including the epidermis and the basal layer (shallow ulceration that looks like a scratch or blister).
Grade III: Injury to the full thickness of the skin, subcutaneous tissue has been damaged but the lesion is only localized outside the fascia.
Grade IV: Necrosis of the entire skin layer, sometimes spreading to muscles, bones, joints... sometimes creating many nooks and crannies.
Multidex effectively supports the treatment of tailbone ulcers
4. How to take care of tailbone ulcers?
Tailbone ulcer care depends on the depth of the ulcer. In general, steps for cleaning and dressing a wound include the following:
Step 1: Clean the tailbone ulcer
Use gauze soaked in 0.9% physiological saline to wipe away pus and dead tissue in the ulcer.
If the ulcer is deep, inflammatory pus discharges a lot, there is a stench, the patient needs to be taken care of by medical staff, because the ulcer has developed through a severe stage.
Step 2: Clean the tailbone ulcer with an antiseptic solution
Disinfection will help prevent ulcers from becoming infected, reduce the risk of deep and widespread lesions, and eliminate unpleasant odors at the sores. Then the healing process can take place faster.
Based on the condition of the ulcer, choose an appropriate antiseptic solution.
Step 3: Apply moisturizer
Moisturizing cream works to help the skin antibacterial, prevent inflammation, moisturize, soothe the skin, stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells, effectively prevent scars.
Gel Multidex both moisturizes the wound and heals ulcers thanks to a natural mechanism (with Maltodextrin and 1% Ascorbic Acid - Vitamin C). The product has been used by doctors in the US for more than 45 years in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and burns.
Step 4: Bandage the sacral ulcer
For mild or dry sores, this step is not necessary. Keep the ulcer open for the healing process to take place more naturally and quickly.
With large ulcers, it is necessary to cover with hydrocolloid bandages or grease gauze to help the ulcer heal faster, unaffected by impact and rubbing.
Do not bandage too tightly because it will affect blood circulation, causing pain for the patient.
Change the dressing at least once a day to ensure hygiene and monitor the progress of the ulcer.