Pressure Sores on Buttocks from Sitting

elderly help, health, hygiene, relieve pain

Title-Pressure Sores on Buttocks from Sitting

Contents

Pressure Sores on Buttocks from Sitting

 

Pressure sores can be a pain to deal with, literally and figuratively. Did you know that you can also get them by sitting? Elderly loved ones are, in fact, more prone to getting them. If you want to know more, please keep reading. In this article, I’ll be giving some tips on how to avoid getting pressure sores on the buttocks from sitting! I’ll even add what you can do when you get them!

Pressure Sores or Bed Sores

 

Pressure or bed sores are skin injuries often found in the elderly or people who can’t often move. It’s skin damage to a particular area, the cause of which is prolonged pressure. Easy to understand, right?

People who get pressure sores are immobile for long periods. You can even get them from sitting for a long time. You may have gotten them in the past but forgot or didn’t notice!

 

Pressure Sores Aren’t Fatal

No, pressure sores aren’t fatal! I’ve written an earlier article on pressure sores, and the answer hasn’t changed. You can think of it as injuries that the elderly often get if they don’t move a lot.

Though people often get them where bones are closer to the surface of your skin. When you leave them untreated, they become very painful!

 

Danger of Getting Infections

 

One of the worst things would be getting an infected pressure sore! Not only will it be very painful and uncomfortable to have, but it takes so long to heal!

 

Things can get even worse if the infection spreads to the rest of the body! Again, pressure sores aren’t fatal but can become so if you ignore them. This is particularly true to the elderly getting pressure sores.

pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

Caring for Elderly Loved Ones

Pressure sores are generally easy to deal with and even ignore. But as you age, you’ll realize that everything becomes complicated. Pressure sores on the buttocks from sitting become challenging to deal with and fix!

If you care for an elderly loved one, you’ll want them to avoid pressure sores! Not only will they feel pain, but they will also be very uncomfortable. This is even more so if it’s on or around their buttocks.
 

 

Sitting Doesn’t Guarantee Pressure Sores

 

 

Of course, sitting doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get pressure sores. Even for your elderly loved ones! Nowadays, most chairs have padding in them. They help in relieving some of the pressure on our buttocks when sitting!

 

 

Some chairs are even designed to avoid getting pressure sores! Though there haven’t been any chairs that can guarantee completely no pressure sores.

 

pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

Getting Pressure Sores from Sitting

 

Again, sitting for long periods can still give you pressure sores! That’s why if you’re caring for an elderly loved one, you need to ensure they aren’t seated too long.

 

Age plays a significant part in our body’s resistance. Because of age, older adults can still get bad pressure sores in well-padded chairs. You can get the best-padded chair in the market, but they will need more to guarantee they’ll be completely safe.

 

Spotting Pressure Sores

 

You can identify pressure sores at a glance. Look for any skin out of the ordinary skin discoloration. Though of course, it would be best to have your elderly loved ones checked by a physician.

 

Usually, the really bad pressure sores will have blood or pus leaking out. Some will even have a nasty smell! Of course, you’ll only see these symptoms in the worst-case scenarios.

 

Skin Color to Know

 

As I said earlier, you can easily tell if you have pressure sores. But, depending on the severity, you need to know that the color of the pressure sore is essential. Here are the three that you need to keep in mind when checking!

  • Reddish, Purple, or Bluish

 

Mild pressure sores will look reddish on white skin and purple or bluish on darker skin tones. You don’t have to worry when you see this color since it’ll be easy to treat. Usually, you won’t see wounds, nor will your elderly loved one feel any itch on the area.

 

  • Dark Red, Purple or Blue

 

You’ll be right to worry if you see a darker shade of color. Usually, the pressure sore will have an open wound or maybe a mere blister if you’re lucky! You need to treat this as soon as possible!

 

  • Very Dark Colors

 

You’ve guessed it, the darker the colors, the worse things are for pressure sores. If you see very dark colors, you need to get professional help. Go to a physician so they can clean and give the necessary immediate medical care in the area.

 

Complications can easily result from unattended, neglected, or badly treated pressure sores. Ensure you have the right tools, knowledge, and expertise to treat them yourself!

Bonus: Deep Tissue Pressure Sores

 

I would also like to add that there are pressure sores that get covered by dead skin. Sometimes they can be ones covered from pressure sores that already healed. The only way to heal deep tissue pressure sores is through a trained physician. Do not attempt to treat it yourself if you aren’t one!
 
 
pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

Avoid Getting Pressure Sores on Buttocks from Sitting

 
Now I will discuss how to avoid getting pressure sores on buttocks from sitting. I actually have firsthand experience in caring for someone who went through this. Hence, here are my tips based on research and my personal experience.

 

  • Provide Movement

 

Although it might be hard for your elderly loved one, try to help them move at least every 15 to 30 minutes. By doing this, you can prevent constant pressure on their buttocks! This is also quite helpful since the elderly have lesser muscles in their lower regions.

 

As mentioned before, the elderly tend to get pressure sores easier. That’s why getting pressure sores on the buttocks from sitting is much easier for the elderly.

 

  • Stand up or Walk Around

 

If you can, help your elderly loved one to stand and walk around now and then. This tip is actually one of the best ways to avoid getting pressure sores on the buttocks from sitting. Giving their buttocks even a few minutes of rest can do wonders!

  • Invest in an Alternating Pressure Cushion

 

When I was caring for my elderly loved one, there came a time that she was no longer able to stand up. When that happened, I had to think of ways to help her relieve pressure without having her stand up. I did some research on the matter, and I learned about alternating pressure cushions. They were very effective!

 

Alternating pressure cushions are special kinds of cushions that help improve pressure relief. The best part? It doesn’t need any movement from the user. It works because the alternating pressure cushion has air inside. It automatically inflates and deflates to relieve constant pressure in one area.

 

  • Apply Lotion Everyday

Applying lotion every day is important to help avoid the formation of pressure sores. The reason for this is that pressure sores may also come from friction. Though for the buttocks, it won’t be as expected.

 

It won’t hurt to apply lotion though since it’ll only ever be beneficial. Avoid skin friction by applying liberal amounts of lotion or any skin moisturizer!
 
 

  • Never Scrub Hard

pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

When helping your elderly loved one bathe, it is essential to avoid scrubbing hard. When we scrub skin hard, there is a tendency for it to be more sensitive and prone to injuries. This is especially true in cases of elderly people who have thinner skin.

 

I suggest using a soft sponge or cloth instead of a loofah on elderly loved ones. Use or have them use mild soap as well since your elderly loved one’s skin will be sensitive.

Treatment When Getting Pressure Sores on Buttocks From Sitting

 

If you see any light colors, treatment will be very easy. But, if you see any of the darker ones, you’ll need to take note of the following. Trust your judgment and remember to go to a physician if you need to.

 

  • Relieve Pressure

 

When getting pressure sores on the buttocks, the simplest solution would be to stand. Avoid having your elderly loved one sit on any surface for a good amount of time. Remember, blood circulation is key to preventing pressure sores!

 

  • Sanitize and Clean Hands and Any Wounds

 

pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

Before treating any pressure sores on the buttocks of any elderly, you need clean hands! The best way to clean any wound would be to use water and if needed, mild soap. Afterward, pat the area dry as gently as you can. Never put alcohol or sanitizers directly on wounds!

  • Putting on Ointment or Cream

 

There are several ointments or creams that you can apply to the area. Only use antimicrobials or medicine to fight bacteria that can cause infections. Never experiment or put anything that might cause further complications!

 

  • Dress or Properly Cover the Area

 

After cleaning any wound or blister on the pressure sore, you must cover it with gauze. You can also use a clean and absorbent towel. Always keep the area dry to prevent any possible infections!

 

 

  • Using Natural Pain Relievers

You can always use any prescribed pain medication. But, most if not all will have side effects. The best way to get relief would be through natural means. There are a lot of herbs and spices that can easily relieve inflammation or pain!

Again, treatment will always depend on the pressure sore’s severity. With elderly loved ones, you should never hesitate to take them to a physician. Infections can get nasty really quickly if you hesitate or do a botched job!

Bonus: Natural Pain Relievers for Pressure Sores on Buttocks From Sitting

You can always go right when going for natural pain relievers. For bad cases of pressure sores on the buttocks, your elderly loved one may feel a moderate amount of pain. That’s why you don’t really need to use prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers.

The easiest way would be to get something sweet like honey. Eating sweets may reduce pain for certain age groups! Plus, honey can also fight infections.

A specially formulated Healing Cream and Skin Protectant is crucial for addressing pressure sores on the buttocks caused by prolonged sitting.

Video Credit: @MOHSingapore

A donut-shaped pillow designed for relieving pressure on the buttocks is an essential tool for addressing pressure sores caused by extended periods of sitting.

 

Need to Get a Physician

When in doubt, get your elderly loved one to the nearest physician! Of course, you must note that I mean licensed and trained physicians. You can’t be too careful when dealing with pressure sores on the buttocks of elderly loved ones.

 

It would be best to call over a physician since moving may be difficult for your elderly loved one. Plus, you taking them out might lead to unnecessary complications. Your elderly loved one will appreciate it more if they were to stay put lying down. It should go without saying that you can’t have them sit down!

A Few Parting Words    

   

pressure sores on buttocks from sitting

Again, pressure sores on the buttocks from sitting can be a pain to deal with. Not just for you but also for your elderly loved one experiencing it. I hope that the tips I gave come in handy. If I were to choose, though, prevention will always be better than treatment. Keep a better eye out when caring for your elderly loved ones, and stay informed!

FAQs

How long should elderly sit in a day?

There isn’t a strict number but it would be best to limit it to less than 30 minutes. Of course this assumes that they aren’t moving at all when sitting. The best and simplest way to fight pressure sores in general is to relieve pressure on the affected area.

Will it be ok if I put enough padding?

It depends. Putting enough padding may work for some people but in general. But there won’t be any absolute guarantee. Padding can only help so much. The best and simplest way will always be to avoid or limit sitting! Moving around can do wonders for your elderly loved one’s body.

How to tell if I need a physician?

The best way would be to check the buttocks yourself. If you see dark colorations then don’t hesitate to call a physician! Also, ask your elderly loved one about how they’re feeling. Most of the time, the best way to diagnose something is to ask the very person experiencing it!

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