This leaflet offers some advice on how to reduce your risk of developing pressure ulcers. If you feel you need further advice or are worried that you or your relative/client may be developing skin damage, please get in touch. Do not wait until damage has occurred.
What are pressure ulcers?
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin or underlying tissue that is damaged because the blood supply to the area is reduced. It is also known as a pressure sore and ranges from mild (minor skin reddening) to severe (deep wounds).
It usually happens when you sit or lie in the same position for too long but can also occur when you have a medical device placed in one position for long periods of time, like an NIV mask (the tight-fitting mask).
If care is not taken, pressure ulcers can be serious. They may be painful and can become infected, sometimes causing blood poisoning or bone infections. In severe cases the underlying muscle or bone may be destroyed. Very rarely pressure ulcers can become life threatening. Severe pressure damage can also prevent you from wearing your NIV causing symptoms of respiratory (lung) failure.
What does a pressure ulcer look like?
The first sign is usually a change in skin colour that may appear slightly redder or darker than usual. Red areas may not be visible on dark skin; therefore, touch can be used to check for pressure damage.
Affected areas will feel warmer and firmer than the surrounding skin. If not treated quickly, a blister or graze may appear which may get worse over time if not treated. Pressure ulcers may contain dead tissue, often yellow or black in colour, which needs to be removed so healing can take place. Dressings are sometimes used to help remove this.
What can I do to prevent pressure ulcers?
- Perform regular skin inspections and let us know if anything changes in your skin condition.
- Always ensure that the mask is clean and dry before placing the mask on. Masks should be washed daily after use. Masks that are dirty are more likely to cause damage.
- Reduce friction (rubbing) when repositioning the mask by avoiding dragging the mask across the face.
- Using a preventative layer of protection before the mask can help prevent pressure and friction. This can be in the form of Siltape, Kerrapro or a Boomerang (see the next page for more information about these).
- Ensuring that your mask is not over tightened as this will add unnecessary pressure under the mask. If you feel you are needing to tighten your mask more over time to achieve a seal, please let us know and we can replace your mask.
What can I do if I notice pressure damage?
Contact
Please contact us if you notice any changes to your skin under your mask. You can email us on and include a photo of the damage, if possible, this will allow for quick assessment and support.
You can also call 01912 823 153 selecting Option 3. It will prompt you to leave a voicemail, and a member of the clinical team will get back to you the same day to discuss during office hours if possible or, if not, the next day.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm
If there is just reddening to the area, we can provide protective dressings/pressure relieving items to help prevent any worsening to the area while it heals. Please contact us if you need these are we can provide them.
Protective dressings/pressure relieving items
Kerrapro
Kerrapro is a pressure reducing pad that can come in a roll, you apply this to the skin before your mask to ease the pressure.
Siltape
Siltape is a soft silicone tape which is slightly padded and gentle on the skin. You apply this by removing the adhesive layer and sticking to the skin before the mask. This feels a little like a padded plaster.
Boomerang gel pad
Boomerang gel pad is a soft gel nasal pad that protects the nasal bridge from pressure. This is not adhesive so is just placed on the bridge of the nose before the mask to give a protective layer between the mask and the skin.
Mask liners
Mask Liners are fabric liners that can be taped on to the masks to help reduce friction and irritation caused by rubbing. It also helps to reduce any irritation caused by the material of the mask. The liners have tabs on that you peel off and then stick the adhesive to the mask.
For further information
Contact details
Please note that during office hours the department is staffed. Please leave a message if unable to speak to a person and someone will call you back as soon as possible. If it is outside of office hours, we will contact you back the next working day.
Equipment
If you have found a dressing that works for you and need a top up of any of the mentioned, please email our healthcare assistant team or call the team selection option 2.
Clinical team
If you need to discuss any concerns over your skin, please email the clinical team on. If possible, please include a photo of the affected area to help us assess. You can also call the team selection option 3.
Monday to Friday,8.30am to 6pm
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, e-mail pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Useful websites
You can find more information on the about the home ventilation service.
We have a website full of resources about Home Mechanical Ventilation.
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk
If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit www.accessable.co.uk.
