Patients whose mobility has been restricted, who are bedridden, or who are in a coma, or are rendered immobile for another other reason like poor health, paralysis, or sedation, most commonly suffer from bed sores. This happens because they lie in the same position for a long time due to immobility, which thereby reduces the normal blood flow these certain areas of the skin, causing severe blisters or sores. These are called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are essentially open wounds on the skin that need to be treated immediately. These are also called decubitus ulcers.
A bed sore is caused when there is undue pressure and friction on the skin. Apart from erupting because a patient is sitting or lying in the same place for long periods of time, bed sores can also occur due to wearing soiled clothing or undergarments for long periods.
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Common risk factors for bed sores include:
- Weight loss during prolonged illnesses
- Very dry skin
- Uncontrolled smoking
- Dehydration
- Poor, unbalanced nutrition
- Fragile skin due to aging
- Diabetes
- Lack/loss of sensation in certain body parts
Symptoms of bed sores
The most common symptoms of bed sores include:
- Pain
- Itching
- Redness
- Tearing
- Lesions on the skin
- Discoloration of the skin
If not treated at the right time, bed sores could lead to ulceration with a deep wound, which would then turn infectious. Bed sores often manifest on those parts of the body that usually rest against a surface, like the shoulder blades, lower back, buttocks, back of the head, back of the arms and legs, heels, ankles, back of the knees, and the skin along the spine.
Home remedies for bed sores
The utmost level of hygiene need to be practiced when dealing with bed sores. Not only the cleanliness promote healing of the painful bed sores, it will also reduce the risk of infection. To that effect, these home remedies for bed sores are found to be quite effective, and should be followed under proper medical supervision.
1. Alter positions
Changing the position of the patient’s body every now and then will help reduce the stress and pressure on the skin that faces friction. This also helps lower the risk of developing new bed sores.
Remedies
- Repositioning the upper body every few hours would help air out the parts of the body that are susceptible to bed sores.
- If the patient is in a wheelchair, they need to be shifted and their position altered every half an hour or so.
- Instead of physically changing positions of the immobile patient, caregivers should use bed linens to do so, in order to minimize the friction and the resulting shearing of the existing bed sores. This needs to be done every couple of hours or so.
2. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is a soothing plant, which helps control the infection in bed sores. Not only is it soothing, it also helps in the healing process, while also keeping the irritated skin moisturized. This helps in the quick healing of the existing bed sores.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this on the affected areas and rub gently for a few minutes. Let it dry on its own, before wiping it off with a clean, wet cloth. Follow this remedy at least 3 times a day for positive results.
Pro tip: If you don’t have access to an aloe vera plant, you could even use aloe vera powder, gel, cream, or ointment to help the healing process.
3. Coconut oil
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Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that will help keep the skin healthy, while also protecting it from damage that is caused by constant pressure. Also, massaging it onto the body will help improve blood circulation as well.
Remedy
- Pour some warm coconut oil on the limbs and back, and gently massage it into the skin. Repeat this remedy 3-4 times a day to promote healing of the existing bed sores, while also preventing new sores from forming.
Pro tip: Do not apply too much pressure on the bed sores. You could also replace coconut oil with olive oil or mustard oil.
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4. Comfrey
Comfrey is a plant whose root and leaves are rich sources of medicinal properties, that can help in the regeneration of the tissues. Plus, it can also help lower the pain and the inflammation.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, combine powdered comfrey leaves and slippery elm, along with enough water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected areas gently, and cover it with a clean, sterile bandage. Let it sit overnight. The following morning, clean the wound with saline. Repeat this remedy every day.
5. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is a herb that is commonly recommended for combating bed sores. Not only does it help soothe the affected areas, it also helps reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, its antiseptic properties are excellent in preventing infection.
Remedies
- To 1 cup of hot water, add 1 teaspoon of goldenseal powder. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 15 minutes. Once you strain the liquid, allow it to cool. Use this concoction to clean the wounds twice a day. This will help dry up the bed sores quite quickly, which in turn helps in healing.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of goldenseal powder and the oil from 2-3 vitamin E capsules. Smear this paste on the affected areas thrice every day for positive results.
6. Honey
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Honey is a humectant that has natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, making it ideal to treat bed sores. Also, it can help soothe the skin while also providing relief from pain, itching, and promote healing.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, add equal amounts of honey and sugar. Gently apply this granular mixture on the affected areas and cover it with a clean bandage. Repeat this remedy at least once a day.
- Smear honey generously on a clean, large plantain leaf, and place it on the affected areas for a few hours.
7. Indian gooseberry
Indian gooseberry is rich in vitamin C, which helps promote healthy skin and healthy blood vessels. Also, vitamin C is an antioxidant, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which heal the skin very quickly. Also, if there is a vitamin C deficiency, even that is addressed too.
Remedy
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder into a glass of warm water every morning on an empty stomach.
8. Saline solution
Saline solution helps heal bed sores faster, while also keeping the wound sites clean to prevent inflammation and infection. Saline solution will also reduce excess fluid and helps get rid of any loose dead skin in and around the wound site.
Remedy
- Add 2 teaspoons of salt to 1 cup of clean water. Boil this, and then let it cool down to room temperature. Now use this solution to clean the affected areas. Let the saline solution dry out thoroughly, before bandaging it. Follow this remedy a couple of times a day for positive results.
9. Turmeric
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Turmeric has been used to heal various skin issues, and it’s effective in treating bed sores as well. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, that help the body combat bed sores and the resulting infection very effectively.
Remedies
- Sprinkle enough turmeric powder on the cleaned area of the affected body part to cover it completely. Then cover it with a clean, sterile bandage. Repeat this remedy thrice a day for quick healing.
- Drinking warm turmeric milk twice a day also helps promote healing.
Pro tip: You can clean the affected areas for the first remedy with either saline solution or sterile water.
10. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that keeps blood vessels and skin healthy. So it’s often recommended to patients with bed sores. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties help prevent damage to the tissues, while also bringing down the inflammation.
Remedies
- Take vitamin C supplements, but only after consulting a doctor.
- Include vitamin C-rich foods in your regular dietary intake, like, lemons, grapefruit, bell peppers, oranges, and so on.
11. Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that helps the immune system, while also promoting wound healing, which it does by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it is essential for regular cell growth and regeneration too.
Remedies
- Zinc ointment could be smeared on the bed sores, but only after consulting a doctor.
- Zinc-rich foods like wheat germ, spinach, nuts, mushrooms, pumpkin, and oysters could be included in the regular dietary intake.
- Ingesting zinc supplements will also help promote the healing of bed sores. However, consulting a doctor about the dosage and the suitability of popping these pills is advisable.
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Additional tips
- Bed sores need to be monitored daily for any changes – for the good or for the bad.
- Try and keep the affected area of skin free from sweat, urine, feces, or other bodily fluids.
- Sleep on a mattress that is soft and/or airy to promote healing.
- Avoid tight clothing, nylon undergarments, and clothes with heavy, chafing seams.
- Use pillows, soft cushions, and blankets to reduce pressure on the affected areas of the skin.
- Avoid smoking since it causes your skin to dry out, while also reducing blood supply to the skin.
- Always, ALWAYS, keep the skin dry, since moisture can worsen the condition considerably.
- Drink adequate amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
These are all the home remedies for bed sores that could provide relief from the condition.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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