7 Easy Tips To Treat Bed Sores

Bed sores are also called pressure sores, decubitus and skin ulcers. They are characterized by cuts, inflammation and sores as a result of extended pressure on a specific part of the body but is more common in areas with protruding bones. 

Bed sores are commonly seen in bed ridden patients or in people who are handicapped and disabled. Such people are unable to frequently change their position on bed and applied pressure of their weight on some parts of the body results in formation of bed sores. Hence it is important that they be turned in bed frequently to reduce the chances of occurrence of bed sores.

Bed sores are a serious medical condition because severe case of bed sores can cut of blood circulation to body parts and this can be life threatening. Early detection of bed sores is important because it is easier to treat them at the initial stage when they are still small. As the sores begin to grow larger and deeper only plastic surgery can help.

Body parts that are more likely to be affected with bed sores are skin on the buttocks, heels and the hips (especially the bony part of the hips). In people who are bed ridden the sores usually occur in shoulders, knees, head, spine and ankles.

Symptoms of Bed Sores

Medically, bed sores have been categorized into four stages and there are different symptoms for each stage.

Stage 1: During this stage the skin doesn’t break down though it begins to grow dark in color especially in people who are light skinned. In case of people with dark skin color the area where pressure is applied turns dark blue or purple in color. The skin also becomes tender and sensitive to touch and the darkened area tends to be painful.

Stage 2: The skin now breaks down into ulcers that look like open wounds. The wounds are pink in color though not very deep. The underlying skin layer, dermis and epidermis become damaged as a result liquid-filled blisters form on the surface of the skin.

Stage 3: The ulcerated skin now develops deep wound like sores. The skin becomes damaged and in severe cases the layer of adipose tissue is also exposed. There is formation of large, crater-like sores on the skin. The sores begin to spread to other healthy parts of the skin as well.

Stage 4: The body loses major part of the skin tissue where the bed sores first appeared. The underlying dead skin tissues turn scaly, crusty and dark especially at the place of the wound. Bones, muscles and tendons are clearly visible through the wounds.

Remedies for Bed Sores

Prevention is better than cure holds specifically true in case of bed sores. They are easier to prevent than be treated. But this does not mean that bed sores aren’t easy to treat or that they cannot be treated at all. It also doesn’t mean that bed sores can be avoided completely.

Bed sores can be treated in a lot of different ways and it is up to the patient to decide which method suits him best. There are plenty of home remedies as well to treat bed sores along with medical procedures. We have prepared a list of some easy and effective home remedies to prevent and treat bed sores.

1. Clean the Ulcer: An ulcer which gathers dust and grime without being cleaned is more at risk of developing infection and inflammation. The best method of cleaning a wound or an ulcer is using a medicated soap and clean water. If the wound has opened then use saline solution or salt water to clean the wound gently. Washing the wound at least three times in a day will reduce the chances of occurrence of infection.

2. Dress the Wound: The healing of the wound can be fastened by preventing it from becoming dry and covering it properly. A dressing done appropriately will save the wound from various infections and will prevent the wound from spreading further. Your doctor will be best able to advise you on the kind of dressing that your wound will require. There are a variety of options available; medical gauzes, gel foams, medicated bandages and films. Sometimes the doctor might ask you to use two or more types of dressings to treat the bed sores.

3. Exercising the body: Check with your doctor or nurse for the best exercises that will help prevent the formation of ulcers. Exercising might be a difficult task for people who are bed ridden or for those with physical disabilities but some form of exercising is important to keep bed sores away. There are plenty of exercise programs that are prepared keeping in mind the physical capabilities of a person.

4. Protecting the Skin: This is especially important of you wish to prevent the formation of bed sores. In order to fasten the healing process of the ulcers simply use a foam padding or gel padding especially on the bony parts of the body. The padding should be placed underneath the bony parts when lying on a bed or sitting on a chair.

5. Use herbs for treating the sores: Crushed herbs like witch hazel, turmeric root, myrrh, goldenseal and comfrey are very beneficial and effective in treating open wounds. They can be applied directly on the wounds or ulcers to expedite the process of healing.

6. Practice Healthy Habits: Quit smoking of you already haven’t given up on this unhealthy habit. When nicotine enters the blood it prevents proper circulation of blood, oxygen and essential nutrients to the skin. As a result, the skin becomes prone to developing bed sores.

7. Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet which comprises of green vegetables, fresh seasonal fruits, milk, whole grains, eggs, fish, liver, fiber and carbohydrates is very important to keep the body and skin healthy. If you are a bed ridden patient then it becomes all the more important that you eat well-balanced meals. Include plenty of Vitamin C rich foods in your diet of you develop bed sores. Vitamin C is known to heal the wounds faster.

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