Do your best not to cause irritation.” What should you know about how to treat a bed sore at home?īed sores can develop quickly - sometimes within a few hours. Avoid harsh soaps, hot water, and scrubbing. “Washing skin with warm water and a gentle mild soap is key. “Dry skin can also prove to be problematic, so try to find a homeostasis,” Patel explains. If your loved one wears an adult diaper, ensure they are changed often and apply a barrier or diaper rash cream that provides protection between their bodily fluids and skin. Do Regular Skin ChecksĬheck your loved one’s skin regularly to catch any potential redness, irritation, or breakdown as early as possible. This can be special ergonomic padding or supplies (though if you’re going that route, please research your options carefully, or ask a health care professional for recommendations) or adding mattress pads or wheelchair/seat cushions to frequently used areas. “Less pressure on one area equals less risk.” Protect Higher Pressure Skin Areas with Cushioning ![]() ![]() “Movement is the most important preventive measure when it comes to steering clear of bed sores,” Patel explains. Think you might forget? Try setting an alarm or even keeping a bedside log to keep track of positions and times. Take the time every few hours to have the person turn or sit up (or stand, if they’re able). Reena Patel, a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Orange County, NY, recommends doing that: Change Position or Turn Them Frequently The best way to deal with someone’s bed sores is to do what you can to prevent them from forming in the first place. What’s a typical bed sore treatment and prevention plan? And in stage three, the marks turn into deep craters that become vulnerable to infection. It’s more inflamed, red, and the marks are slightly opened. When it goes into stage two, it seems like a blister. When a bed sore is in stage one, it looks like a pink or discolored mark. An area of skin that feels cooler or warmer to the touch than other areasīedsores look different based on how infected they are and the stage it’s in.Unusual changes in skin color or texture.The heels, ankles, and skin behind the kneesĪccording to the Mayo Clinic, some of the warning signs that bed sores may be forming include:.Backs of arms and legs where they rest against the chair.Basically, anywhere bony that may experience physical pressure, including: And contrary to popular belief, they can develop places other than the buttocks/tailbone. What causes bed sores?īed sores - also known as “pressure ulcers” and “decubitus ulcers” - are exactly what they sound like: injuries to the skin and tissue caused by periods of prolonged pressure on a particular area of the body. Here’s what to know about how to treat bed sores at home and prevent them from forming in the first place. Which brings us to today’s topic: bed sores. Never underestimate the mental toll caregiving can have on all parties involved - including potential embarrassment for the person receiving the care. But for many caregivers, those tasks pale in comparison to the difficulty of seeing your loved one struggle and require this level of care. When someone finds out you’re an at-home caregiver, a common response is “I don’t know how you can do that.” Then they might expand a bit, marveling at how you’re able to do things like bathe the person, change their adult diapers (if applicable), treat their bed sores at home, and really, anything associated with any bathroom activities. No matter how much your heart is in it and how much you want to help, being an at-home caregiver for a parent or other loved one is tough. Patel also brings to the table the perspective of a mother. Patel is a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Orange County, NY. Reena Patel to provide in-depth medical insight about how to treat a bed sore at home.
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