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Someone may be confined to bed for a long period of time for a variety of reasons; to fight an illness, to recover from an injury or just to live out old age. As if restricted mobility weren't enough, bed-bound patients may also suffer from bedsores. The problem occurs when pressure is exerted on areas of the body, particularly on such bony regions as the buttocks, hips and shoulder blades. The pressure restricts circulation and breaks down the tissues of the skin. Dark red or purple spots may appear first and can progress to form deep ulcers that may weep or ooze pus. These wounds are often slow to heal, requiring a lengthy treatment. Anyone who is confined to bed may develop sores, but the elderly are at greatest risk since they often already have poor circulation. Those bound to wheelchairs are also prone to bedsores.
Bedsores are often considered to be a sign of patient neglect and are common occurrences in institutional settings when patient care is often lacking and substandard and may even border on the edge of abuse. At home, with attentive care, prevention and early treatment can prevent serious, possibly life-threatening ulcerations and infections. If you suspect a loved one is being neglected, shows signs of ulcerations and/or abuse, you need to report the situation to the proper authorities.
Fortunately, good nutrition, assisted exercise, therapeutic massage and clean linens all help discourage the formation of bedsores and serious skin ulcers. Natural healing methods have also proven effective in healing bedsores.
PREVENTION
Nursing care actions are vital in identifying potential causes of breakdown and elimination or minimizing them. The following care should be given. These are standard recommendations for health care providers taking care of people at home, in nursing home, or a hospital facility. For more nutritional and holistic approaches, see below under TREATMENT.
- Change the person's position at least every 2 hours. Some people will require positioning more often. A major shift in position is required. When positioning a person, be careful to avoid friction, such as sliding the person over bedclothes or against equipment. Use lifting devices to avoid dragging. The care plan for each person must be followed carefully. The turning schedule will be posted for or given to the caregivers and should be kept in the person's room. The graphic shows an example of the sequence of turns.
- Encourage the person sitting in a geri-chair or wheelchair to raise themselves every 10 minutes to relieve pressure, or assist the person to do so.
- Encourage proper nutrition and adequate intake of fluids. Breakdown occurs more readily and healing is delayed when the person is poorly nourished. Proper nutrition may require tube feedings with enriched high-protein and high-vitamin supplements. People who are able to eat should be encouraged to do so. Adequate fluids are a requirement. See below under Nutrition, Herbal & Holistic Recommendations for more information.
- Immediately remove feces or urine from the skin, because they are very irritating. Wash and dry the area immediately.
- Whenever giving personal care to a person, carefully inspect areas where pressure ulcers (bedsores, decubiti) commonly form. Report any reddened areas immediately to family, supervisor, or health care provider in charge of the person's medical care.
- Inspect the skin daily and report the condition. Keep a daily care journal and note any changes or problems. This will be helpful for follow-up medical care.
- Keep the skin clean and dry at all times.
- Keep linen dry and free from wrinkles and hard objects such as crumbs and hairpins.
- Bathe the person frequently. Pay particular attention to potential pressure or friction areas. Avoid hot water and friction.
- Massage around reddened areas frequently with rubbing solution. Do not massage directly on the site and do not use alcohol if areas are reddened or skin is broken. Apply moisturizers on dry skin by patting. Do not rub vigorously.
- Do not use lotion on broken skin.
- Separate body areas that are likely to rub together, especially over bony prominences, by using pillows or foam wedges according to the care plan.
- Use mechanical aids, such as foam padding, sheepskin, or an alternating-pressure mattress, to relieve pressure.
- Protect areas at risk, such as heels and elbows.
- Use a turning sheet to move a dependent person in bed.
- Elevate the head of the bed no higher than 30 degrees, to prevent a shearing effect on the tissues.
- Carry out range-of-motion exercises at least twice daily to encourage circulation.
- Check for improperly fitted or worn braces and restraints.
- Check nasogastric tubes and urinary catheters to be sure they are positioned so as not to be a source of irritation. Keep the nasal and urinary openings clean and free of drainage. These areas must be checked frequently and carefully.
- Use sheepskin and artificial sheepskin pads between the person and bottom linen, wheelchair backs, or wheelchair seats where excess pressure may be expected.
- For people sitting in geri-chairs or wheelchairs, use foam, gel, or air cushions to reduce pressure on buttocks and sacrum. Routinely monitor such people for skin problems.
- For people in bed, relieve pressure on heels by supporting feet off the bed.
- Report signs of infection, such as fever, odor, drainage, inflammation, or bleeding to the person's family, supervisor, or health care provider so further medical attention can be given.
TREATMENT
WHAT YOU CAN DO - HOME CARE OVERVIEW:
Striving to prevent bedsores is always the top priority. However, if you can't, promote their healing and stave off infection by practicing good hygiene. Wash the wound several times each day with disinfectant solutions, such as an iodine wash, or us an herbal preparation. Apply bandages as needed, and change the dressings frequently. Treat open wounds with moist compresses, and use a salve after the wounds close.
PREVENTION
Bedsores are slow to heal, and treatment can be lengthy; therefore, it is important to take preventive measures when caring for a patient who is bedridden. A patient who cannot move on her own should be turned several times daily. Sheets should be smooth and bedclothes supple and soft, without seams; linens should be changed every other day, and the skin should be kept dry. The best mattresses distribute pressure and protect the skin, so obtain a good, comfortable bed. Egg-carton foam pads also help.
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Bedsores
- Description, Symptoms, Causes, and Medical Prevention & Treatment Overview
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Any number of homeopathic remedies help promote wound healing and can fight infection. Calendula is useful for ulcers and open wounds that won't heal; Sulphuricum helps both to prevent and to treat infected sores; and Arnica is a good option for bruises and sores caused by a mattress that is too hard.
HerbalRemedies: Arnica Products (Creams, Tinctures, Extracts, Gels)
HerbalRemedies: Calendula Products (Creams, Tinctures, Extracts, Gels)
Mountain Rose Herbs: Herbal Salves & Balms
AROMATHERAPY
Many essential oils have disinfectant properties and can be added to bathwater, liniments or lotions to prevent sores. Tea Tree Oil is especially preventive as a disinfectant, and Lavender, Myrrh, and Patchouli can help treat bedsores.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Tea Tree Essential Oil
Mountain Rose Herbs: Essential Aromatherapy Oils
HOLISTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Eat a well-balanced diet with 70 percent raw fruits and vegetables. Well-nourished, healthy skin is less likely to break down. If bruised, it may even heal more readily. Help promote wound healing by taking Vitamins A, C, and Zinc supplements. Taking a multi-vitamin every day may also help.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been shown to play an integral role in the health of the skin. Taken internally or applied externally as a lotion, they help maintain the integrity and elasticity of the skin, as well as preventing a loss of moisture, which leads to dry and scaly skin. Excellent sources of EFAs are natural vegetable oils such as canola, corn, olive, safflower, and soy oils; wheat germ; edible seeds, such as pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower; and fish oils - especially cod liver oil. Consume liquids around the clock, even if the person is not thirsty. Use steam-distilled water, herbal teas, and sugar-free juices. Liquids are important in keeping the colon clean and the bladder functioning properly.
Eliminate animal fats, fried foods, junk foods, processed foods, and sugar from the diet.
Use oat bran, psyllium husks, ground flaxseeds, or Aerobic Bulk Cleanse (ABC) from Aerobic Life Industries to provide fiber. Fiber absorbs dangerous toxins and helps prevent constipation. Note: Always take supplemental fiber separately from other supplements and medications.
Make sure that the bowels move every day. On days when the bowels do not move, use an enema.
Give immediate attention to lowering the body's pH level, to 5.5 or lower, to prevent bacteria in the sores from multiplying. Place 2 to 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, add a little honey, and sip this with meals.
Try applying Essential Oils and/or Aloe Vera with a little Tea Tree Oil added to the affected area. This is very good for the skin, and helps existing bedsores to heal as well as preventing new ones from forming. (Keep these oils away from the eyes, however, because they burn.)
Take measures to prevent bedsores from developing:
- Do not let an immobilized individual stay in one position for too long - move him or her every 2 hours.
- Keep the bed clean, dry, and tidy. Lying on wrinkled bed linens can lead to bedsores.
- Have the individual wear loose-fitting clothing made from all-natural materials. Cotton is best because it allows air to penetrate the skin. Pay attention to clothing construction as well. Avoid items with seams, gathers, or other features that may press on sensitive areas.
- Allow as much light and fresh air into the bedridden person's room as he or she can tolerate.
- Give frequent alcohol rubs to stimulate circulation and prevent blood vessels from closing up. Use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and cotton balls or sterile gauze to apply the alcohol. Do not use alcohol if skin is reddened or broken. As an alternative, witch hazel can be used instead. Alcohol can be very drying to the skin. Use a good, natural moisturizer on skin.
- Gently but firmly massage pressure points and other affected areas once daily to increase circulation.
- Give a sponge bath daily using warm water and a mild herbal or vitamin E soap. Do not use harsh soaps.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Natural Bath & Bathing Products
- If the person can sit up, have him or her do so 3 to 4 times daily, or use pillows as a prop. Be careful not to allow person to slide down in bed as this can cause shearing.
- Inspect pressure points daily for reddening or other signs that a sore may be developing.
- Keep the skin dry; include thorough drying after bathing. Be sure to dry carefully in skin folds and other places that moisture will collect and skin will rub together.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Help improve a patient's circulation by taking limbs through their full range of motion several times a day. You can reduce a patient's risk for bedsores by gently rotating her arms and legs and changing her position frequently.
For more detailed information, see:
CONSIDERATIONS
A good diet is very important and makes bedsores less likely to develop. People who suffer from bedsores are usually seriously deficient in many nutrients, especially zinc and vitamin A, E, B-2 (riboflavin), and C. Vitamin A and E, in moderation, are useful in healing bedsores. Vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory and is generally good for the health of the skin and blood vessels.
Although most bedsores can be prevented, once formed, they can be kept in check if you regularly examine the afftected areas, keep the skin clean and dry, and relieve any pressure on sensitive areas. If mobility is limited, you can use special foam, gel, or air cushions to relieve this pressure. Also, make sure that anyone with limited mobility gets turned on a regular basis (every 2 hours).
There are special mattresses designed for people who are bedridden. They have pockets of air connected by small tubes. When placed between the sheet and the standard mattress, it decreases the pressure on sensitive areas when a person has to lie in one position for long periods of time. Anatomically shaped cushions can be used to help distribute the weight more evenly, along with special pads designed specifically for heels and elbows. (See Amazon.com Products below.)
Special absorbent foamlike bandages can be used for persistent bedsores to reduce the pressure on sensitive areas and help promote healing.
Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is helpful for promoting healing. It is applied topically directly to the affected area. Note: Only DMSO from a health food store should be used for therapeutic purposes. Commercial-grade DMSO found in hardware stores is not suitable. The use of DMSO may result in a garlic-like body odor. This is temporary, and is not a cause for concern.
HerbalRemedies: DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) Liquid & Cream Products
HERBAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Comfrey Ointment or Natureworks Calendula Cream can be used externally. Note: Comfrey is recommended for external use only unless used under a health care provider's supervision.
Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Ointment, 2 oz.
A 100% natural Tea Tree Oil antiseptic ointment that combines a therapeutic dose of pure tea tree oil with the absorption powers of Australian Eucalyptus Australiana Oil and Lavender Oil.
Goldenseal, Myrrh Gum, Pau D'Arco, and Suma, taken in tea or extract form, are beneficial for bedsores. Buckwheat tea and Lime Flower tea are also helpful. Caution: Do not take Goldenseal for more than one week at a time; do not use it during pregnancy; and use it under supervision if you have heart disease, diabetes, or glaucoma.
Mix equal amounts of Goldenseal powder or extract and Vitamin E Oil with a small amount of Honey to make paste, and apply the mixture to the sores often. This mixture gives fast relief and helps the healing process. Alternate this with raw Honey, Vitamin E Cream, and Aloe Vera Gel.
HERBAL COMPRESSES & POULTICES FOR WOUND HEALING
Calendula & Chamomile Compresses. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried Calendula or Chamomile flowers, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Dip a clean cotton towel in the warm tea, wring it out and place it directly on the wound. Apply several times each day, rewarming the towel as needed. To prevent further bedsores, massage bedridden patients with Calendula Essential Oil diluted in a Carrier Oil or a Calendula Salve or Cream once or twice daily, both are available commercially or can be made at home.
Horsetail Compresses. Horsetail has a high silicic-acid content, believed to promote healing of wounds by encouraging repair and regeneration of skin and connective tissue. Steam a handful of Horsetail in a steamer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft. Remove the herb, cool slightly and wrap it in a warm, damp cloth. Place the cloth on the area of the skin that is affected by bedsores, and leave it in place for 1 hour.
Sage Rinse Home Remedy. Sage is highly antibacterial, making it a good choice for a wash for bedsores. Pour 1 cup of water over 2 teaspoons of dried Sage leaves, and let the tea steep for 10 minutes. Strain. Wash the affected areas with the cooled tea several times a day.
PLANTAIN POULTICE TO PROMOTE HEALING
Plantain has astringent and antibacterial components, which promote healing and make it an excellent remedy for skin inflammations. Plantain grows freely in grassy fields and most yards and is considered a "yard weed". If you gather fresh plantain, obtain it from areas away from roadways and grassy areas untreated by pesticides and herbicides. Fill a blender with clean Plantain Leaves and stems. Add just enough water or aloe vera to allow the blender's blades to operate properly, and then blend the mixture until pulpy. Apply the pulp to a bandage, and place the bandage on the wound.
I have used Plantain Leaves combined with Comfrey Leaves for treating wounds, bruises, blood blisters and sprains with great results.
Extra Tip - Geranium has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to dry wounds that are weeping. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 ounce of dried geranium leaves, let steep for 10 to 15 minutes and strain. After the infusion cools, soak a soft cloth in the brew, and then apply it directly to the bedsore. Leave it in place for 30 minutes and repeat very few hours.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Geranium Essential Oil
HerbalRemedies: Geranium Essential Oil, NOW Foods, 100% Pure, 1 fl. oz.
Geranium essential oil is able to relax the mind, calm agitation, and ease frustration and irritability.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Lime Peel Essential Oil
HerbalRemedies: Lime Oil, NOW Foods, 1 fl. oz.
This lime oil is derived primarily from lemon peels and contains no fillers, scents or preservatives.
HerbalRemedies: Bumps & Bruises Wellness Oil, 2 fl. oz.
Bumps & Bruises Wellness Oil, when massaged into the skin or held onto the injury with a cloth, will help reduce swelling and bruising.
BEDSORES PRODUCTS & SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements and product for bedsores, also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, are painful sores caused by constant deficiency of blood to tissues over a bony projection that has been subjected to prolonged pressure against an object like a bed, cast, or splint.
Antiseptic / Sinus Formula Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Use for acne, bed sores, disinfectant, infection, measles, open sores and ulcers, poison ivy/oak, psoriasis, rectal itch, skin disorders, skin eruptions, and sore throat.Comfrey Leaf / Herb Skin Poultice, 2.5 oz.
Comfrey leaf contains allantoin, which promotes the growth of connective tissue, bone, cartilage, and is easily absorbed through the skin.Manuka Honey Bio Active, 10+, 500 g
Comvita Bio Active 10+ Manuka Honey contains a high level of antibacterial activity not found in other honeys. For digestive health and to assist the digestive process.Multiflora Honey, 100% Pure New Zealand Honey, 1.1 lb.
Pure New Zealand Honey is made with the help of wild flowers to produce a rich natural taste that is all its own.Myrrh Herbal Poultice with Comfrey Leaf, All Natural, 2.5 oz.
Used for Bedsores, Chicken Pox, Cuts, Disinfectant, and Skin Eruptions.Aloe Vera Juice, Herbal Aloe Force, Organically Grown Unprocessed Whole Raw Aloe Vera, 33.8 fl. oz.
Herbal Aloe Force Re-Natures the cells, tissues, glands, organs and all systems of the body to function as originally designed.Alive! Whole Food Energizer Multi-Vitamin & Mineral with Naturally Occurring Iron (No Iron Added), Nature's Way, 90 Tabs
No other supplement contains more life-giving nutrients than Nature's Way ALIVE! It is better absorbed into your blood stream because its tablets disintegrate up to 5X faster than other leading brands.Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, 100% Natural, 500 mg, 60 Softgels
A rare source of vitamin E, Sea Buckthorn Oil also provides other vitamins including Vitamins A, C, D, K, etc, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, amino acids, serotonin and 28 trace elements: zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iodine, etc.Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), C/S Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Witch Hazel can be taken internally for diarrhea and hemorrhage or externally as a rinse or gargle for sore throats.Witch Hazel Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Witch Hazel can be taken internally for diarrhea and hemorrhage.Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Ointment, 2 oz.
A 100% natural Tea Tree Oil antiseptic ointment that combines a therapeutic dose of pure Tea Tree Oil with the absorption powers of Australian Eucalyptus Australiana Oil and Lavender Oil.Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Res-Q-Ointment, 0.6 oz.
Burt's Res-Q Ointment will soothe and comfort life's bumps and bruises with the green magic of Mother Nature's herbal medicines.Aloe Vera Skin Gel, Herbal Aloe Force, Organically Grown Unprocessed Whole Raw Aloe Vera, 4 fl. oz.
Can keep your skin looking clean, clear, smooth, toned, hydrated and glowing with health. Can also reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage.Omega 3-6-9- Oil, Mega EFA Blend, Lime Flavored, Nature's Way, 1350 mg, 90 Softgels
Omega 3-6-9 Oil Mega EFA Blend is the most complete daily source of Omega 3,6,9 fatty acids for healthy skin, joints, and cardiovascular function.Super Multi-Vitamin & Multi-Mineral, Pure Vital Earth, 98% Bio-Available for Absorption, 32 fl. oz.
Super Multi-Vitamin and Mineral has the power to replace almost everything in your vitamin cabinet. Because Super Multi is sweetened with healthy zylitol and stevia there are no unwanted spikes in blood sugar that contribute to fat storage.Comfrey Leaf Powder, 100% Organic, 4 oz. Bulk
One of the most well-known healing plants, especially for its ability to heal tissue and bone.Vitamin C 1000 With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 Vcaps
Nature's Way Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids provides antioxidant protection for many of the body's important enzyme systems.Pascalite Bentonite Healing Powder, 16 oz.
Pascalite is used in soap and toothpaste, applied as a poultice to insect bites, sunburns, infections, cold sores, canker sores and acne, and as a suppository for hemorrhoids. Users found it a potent skin cleanser and conditioner, drank it for heartburn and ulcers.Antibiotic, Natural, Support Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Use this natural antibiotic to support the immune system.Colloidal Silver Salve, SilvaSolution, 2 oz.
SilvaSolution Colloidal Silver Salve no contains added homeopathics that add a benefit that will enhance the SilvaSolutions effectiveness.Black Ointment, All Natural, Nature's Way, 2 oz.
Nature's Way Black Ointment is a time tested herbal formula made with herbs traditionally used to dry and draw external wounds. This is an excellent herbal wound care product.
HerbalRemedies: Bedsores Information
HerbalRemedies: Bedsores Supplements & Products
PRODUCTS FOR PATIENT CARE & BEDSORES
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You have questions about bedsores and therapies available.
If the condition doesn't clear up with treatment, see your health care provider. Severe cases may require medical attention.
Consult with your health care provider and an attorney if you suspect abuse and/or neglect in your care or the care of a family member. This is especially common in nursing homes and long care hospital facilities.
For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.
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