Home Remedies for Bed Sores
Bed sores is also known by other names such are pressure ulcers, pressure sores, decubitus or skin ulcers. This usually affects the bony regions of the body such as the back or a cartilaginous region. Patients who are bedridden, in comatose state, paralyzed or handicapped and unable to move on their own are at high risk. Some simple home remedies can treat pressure sores with constant supervision and timely early intervention.
Bed Sores Causes
The main cause for bed sores is prolonged pressure. This happens because of lying down in the same position for hours together causing prolonged pressure on particular body parts. The blood supply is cut off due to continuous pressure resulting in damaged skin and cell death.
Bed Sores Symptoms
The sores start out as a reddish, painful area which then turns purple. There is sore skin aggravation in the form of swelling, cuts or lesions. Untreated pressure ulcers can cause the skin to break out, ooze pus and cause infection to set in.
Bed Sores Home Remedies
- Turn over a bed sore patient every 2 hours to give relief to affected pressure area.
- Pressure distributive mattresses are available to reduce pressure on bony regions of the body.
- Natural sheepskin padding is particularly soft and comfortable as it does not cause friction due to its natural fibers and reduces moisture on pressured skin surface as it is protected with natural oils. Moreover, the weight is distributed over a large area which helps ease pressure. Sheepskin can be used not only for recovery but also to prevent bed sores.
- Bed Sores Diet: A balanced healthy diet is essential to protect the skin and prevent it from breakdown. Sufficient calories, protein, vitamins and minerals are very essential. Vitamin C and zinc particularly help heal sores faster and resist infections. Consult your physician or a dietitian for a nutrition diet plan, incase of malnutrition to enable an early recovery.
- Wound Care with Saline Solution: Clean the sores affected areas often to reduce risk of infection. Change dressing and use saline solution to clean the area. Saline solutions are available at the local chemist or even prepared at home.
Recipe for Home made Saline Solution: Mix 1 teaspoon salt in 32 oz i.e. 4 cups of water. Boil for five minutes and allow it to cool. Store this in a clean sterile container. Do not use hydrogen peroxide as it can be toxic based on the extent of wound.
Remember to keep the wound moist but the surrounding skin dry.
Pressure sores in their early stage do not need to be covered. In the 2nd stage, keep wound covered with a gauze to retain moisture and encourage skin cells to grow.
Bed Sore Tips
In medical management of skin ulcers, the damaged tissue may be removed by debridgement for fast healing and recovery. The necrosed tissue may be removed by debridgement which may be autolytic, biological, chemical, mechanical, sharp, surgical, ultra sound assisted wound therapy. Bed sores prevention is the best alternative before these pressure ulcers develop into serious wounds and necrosed tissues. As this condition progresses, healing can be time consuming, requires plenty of patience and emotional strength to deal with it.
