Pressure Sores - Complications of Pressure Sores/Ulcers
Even with the best
possible medical care, complications can arise from grade three or grade four
pressure ulcers and can occasionally be life-threatening.
These complications are discussed below.
Cellulitis
Infection can spread from the site of the pressure
ulcer to a deeper layer of skin. This type of infection is called cellulitis.
It causes symptoms of pain and redness, plus swelling of the skin. It will need
to be treated with a course of antibiotics.
Left untreated, there is a risk that the
infection can spread to the blood (see below) or the underlying bone or joint.
In rare cases, where pressure ulcers involve the lower back, tail bone and
spine, the pressure ulcer can spread to the membranes that surround the spine
and brain. This is known as menigitis.
Blood
poisoning
If a person with a weak immune system has a
pressure ulcer that becomes infected, there is a risk that the infection will
spread into their blood and other organs. This is known as blood poisoning or
septicaemia.
In the most serious cases of blood poisoning,
damage to multiple organs can lead to a large drop in blood pressure, known as
septic shock, which can be fatal. Symptoms include cold skin and an increased heartbeat.
Blood poisoning is a medical emergency. It
requires immediate treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU), so that the
functions of the body can be supported while the infection is treated with
antibiotics or antiviral medication.
Bone and
joint infection
Infection can also spread from a pressure ulcer
into underlying joints septic arthritis and bones osteomyelitis.
Both of these infections can damage the
cartilage, tissue and bone. They may also affect the joints and limbs.
Antibiotics are required to treat bone and
joint infections. In the most serious of cases, infected bones and joints may
need to be surgically removed.
Necrotising
fasciitis
commonly known as "flesh-eating"
bacteria, is a serious skin infection that causes rapid tissue death. It can
occur when a pressure ulcer becomes infected with a particular type of
bacteria, such as Group A streptococci.
Emergency treatment is required. It involves a
combination of antibiotics and surgical debridement of the dead tissue.
Gas
gangrene
Gas gangrene is a serious but rare form of
infection that occurs when a pressure ulcer becomes infected with the
clostridium bacteria. The bacteria thrive in environments where there is little
or no oxygen. They produce gases and release dangerous toxins. Symptoms of gas
gangrene include severe pain and rapid swelling of the skin.
Gas gangrene requires immediate treatment with
surgical debridement. In the most serious of cases, it may be necessary to
amputate the affected body part to prevent the gangrene from spreading to the
rest of the body.
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