Being an at-home caretaker for a parent or other loved one is difficult no matter how much the heart is in it or how much help can be given. When people learn that a caregiver at home does a lot of jobs, they often say things like, “How come you have learned how to take care at home,” then go on to marvel at how they can bathe the person, change their adult diapers, treat their bedsores at home, and pretty much anything else related to bathroom safety.
Sure, none of those is a pleasant experience. However, for many caretakers, such activities pale compared to witnessing a loved one struggle and require this amount of care. Never underestimate the mental toll that caring for someone else may take on all parties involved, including the possibility of embarrassment for the person receiving the care.
It takes us to the subject of today’s post: bedsores. Here’s everything you need to know about treating bed sores at home and preventing them from developing in the first place.
What are bedsores?
Bedsore care can be difficult, but sticking to a healthy routine like using a physical therapy supply is essential for avoiding more serious complications. Bedsores are referred to by various terms such as pressure and decubitus ulcers, but they all refer to the same underlying problem.
They refer to a section of skin that has been weakened or broken due to repeated rubbing and pressure. Moving carefully and frequently to protect susceptible areas from such conditions is the easiest approach for lowering the chance of bedsores developing. Adult bed rails and mobility aids are examples of some bedsores aids for seniors. The simplest solution, however, is not always the simplest.
What does a bedsore look like?
The appearance of bedsores varies depending on how infected they are and what stage they are in. The first stage of bedsore appears as a pink or discolored lesion. It may feel itchy and tender to the touch. It seems to be a blister when it reaches stage two. It’s redder and more inflamed, with the spots somewhat expanded. In the third stage, the marks become deep craters that are susceptible to infection.
Things to remember for patients with bedsores
The best strategy to deal with a person’s bedsores is to do everything you need to do to avoid them from developing in the first place. We can treat bedsores or pressure ulcers at home with the following home remedies. Please keep in mind that if your loved one has a terrible bedsore and it doesn’t get better within 48 hours, you should contact a doctor.
- Frequently move or turn them around.
Allow the person to turn, sit up, or stand if they are capable of every few hours. Are you worried that you may forget something? To keep track of positions and timings, try setting the alarm or keeping a bed alarm to press if they need help. Moving around is the most crucial preventative technique for avoiding bedsores.
- Cushion areas of the skin are subjected to more pressure.
It can include adding mattress pads or wheelchair/seat cushions to regularly used places or special ergonomic padding or supplies. But remember that if you go that route, please explore the options carefully or seek advice from a health care professional.
- Conduct regular skin examinations
Regularly examine your loved one’s skin to detect any potential irritation, redness, or breakdown as soon as possible. It means daily. If your loved one uses an adult diaper, make sure they are changed frequently and that a barrier or diaper rash treatment is applied to protect the skin from bodily fluids. Dry skin can also be a concern, so attempt to achieve a state of balance. The importance of washing the skin with warm water and a mild body wash & soap cannot be overstated. Scrubbing, strong soaps, and hot water should all be avoided. Make every effort to avoid annoying.
Natural home remedies for bedsores
If your bedsores have progressed to the fourth stage, you should seek medical help. Fortunately, you may treat your loved one with various home treatments before the sores become more serious. Some of the most effective home cures for bed sores are listed here.
- Aloe vera
You know how wonderfully aloe vera soothes and heals sunburns if you’ve ever used it. Infection, discomfort, and edema are all affected by it. Apply aloe gel straight to clean the bedsore, gently rub it in for 5 minutes, and then let it dry. Three times a day is a good rule to follow. Based on research, aloe vera is a natural wound cleanser.
- Turmeric
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities to help heal and prevent infection. Cover the affected skin area with turmeric powder and a clean wound dressing. Three times a day, repeat.
- Honey
Back then, we used honey to cure and prevent infection. It acts as a natural antibacterial, softening the skin, reducing pain, and speeding up the healing process. To form a thick mixture, combine equal parts sugar and honey, then apply to the bedsore and cover with a clean bandage. Change every day till they’re completely healed.
- Saline water
It works for bedsores in the same way that salt water works for mouth sores. It protects against infection and aids in the healing process. To a cup of boiling water, add 2 tablespoons of salt. Allow it to cool before using it to clean wounds. Do this at least twice a day. We can also use it to clean sores before applying other therapies. After applying saline water to the bedsore, use an Iodoform gauze for better results.
- Coconut oil
For various reasons, coconut oil is an effective bedsore treatment. One is to keep the skin moisturized (to prevent new bed sores from developing), and the process of messaging aids circulation, which promotes healing. Coconut oil is also considered a natural skin moisturizer. Massage the affected areas three or four times a day and the areas likely to become impacted.
Final Thoughts
Treating bedsores at home necessitates a tight regimen of regular and regulated movement to relieve pressure on the affected or at-risk areas. It’s better to utilize soft, low-friction textiles to mitigate the friction and shear in these movements. Various products are available to assist with this endeavor, regardless of where the impacted areas are.
AvaCare Medical‘s mattress overlays, for example, enable users to turn in bed freely and comfortably without severing sensitive body parts like the trunk, hips, etc. For more information about our great offer, please email us here at info@avacaremedical.com or contact us through this number at 1-877-813-7799.