With Reflexologist Nuria Weaver
Home Remedies for Bed Sores
Bed sores can be called as pressure sores or sometime called pressure ulcers. This involves skin and tissues which are damaged because of sustained pressure that cuts off the circulation to some vulnerable parts of the body. It involves especially the skin on the buttocks, heels and hips. The lack of adequate blood flow results causes the tissue to die.
People who are prone to the condition are people suffering from paralysis, bedridden people and people who uses frequent wheelchair and are not able to change the position have a higher tendency to develop bedsores. Although bedsores quickly develop and are often difficult to heal, yet there are some home remedies for bed sores that can help reduce the condition.
Causes of Bed Sores
People who are immobilized due to some injury and illness can be at a constant threat of bedsores. Some of the common causes of bedsores are listed below:
- Sustained pressure In such a situation the flow of blood is restricted and deprives the tissue from essential nutrients and oxygen. This is common in areas where the muscle or fat lying below the bone is not padded well such as the spine, shoulder blades, tailbone, heels, hips and elbows.
- Friction To prevent pressure sores, there should be frequent shifts in the position. However, the friction that occurs when there is a simple turn from one side to another can damage the skin and making it more susceptible to such kind of pressure sores.
- Shear This happens when the skin moves in one particular direction and the bone underlying the skin moves in another. For e.g. when the head is raised 30 degrees is likely to cause the shearing or sliding down in a chair or bed can also cause shearing. This stretches and tears the walls of the cells and those of the tiny blood vessels. The area of the skin which is affected most is the tailbone which is highly fragile and thin.
Symptoms of Bed Sores
The bedsores usually fall in one of the following for categories depending on the severity. These categories have been classified by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel which is a professional organization that is dedicated in the treatment of such kind of pressure sores. The categories are:
- Stage 1:- In this stage the skin may turn red and become warm, firm or spongy when touched. These kinds of wounds are not permanent and go within a short span of time.
- Stage 2:- The skin loss occurs in the epidermis that is the outermost skin layer or the dermis which is the deeper layer of the skin. The wound appears like an abrasion or blister and the tissues that surround the skin may appear purple or red discoloration.
- Stage 3:- In this stage the damage goes below the skin to the tissue. This may create a cater-like wound which is quite deep.
- Stage 4:- Finally the most serious stage in which a large scale loss of the skin layers may occur. In addition to this, it may damage the muscle and underlying bone and also other supporting structures like joints and tendons.
Tests and Diagnose for Bed Sores
The doctor may ask you to undergo some tests in order to check the overall health and other nutritional status. Other tests may also be included depending on circumstances. However, for milder form of the condition there are some home remedies for bed sores which are quite effective and have given some positive results.
The milder form or the initial stage of bed sores which are likely to be of stage 1 and stage 2 can heal within a span of a week or two. However, stage 3 and stage 4 cannot be resolved on their own and requires surgery.
Home Remedies for Bed Sores using honey and turmeric
- Prepare a poultice of either sugar or honey on the bed sores wound. This will help to remove the poison from the wound and prevent infection.
- Another method you can try is to wash the wound with a mixture prepared from turmeric root and witch hazel. The washing should be done two to three times a day as this helps to remove the infection in the wound.
Home Remedies for Bed Sores using Lysol and calendula
- One of the effective ways to get rid of bed sores is to spray Lysol on the affected area.
- Among the finest home remedies for bed sores is calendula. Use a paste of calendula and apply directly on the sores. This can relief the pain associated with sores.
Home Remedies for Bed Sores using wheat germ oil, Aloe Vera and beet juice
- The pure form of the wheat germ oil can be applied directly on the wound as this helps to keep the affected area dry.
- One of the good old home remedies for bed sores is to apply the gel form of Aloe Vera on the wound directly and leave the area uncovered.
- A mixture prepared from a tablespoon of beet juice and two tablespoon of honey can be directly applied on the wound and cover it with a neat bandage. You can also add flour to make the mixture thick.
Home Remedies for Bed Sores using golden seal and milk of magnesia
- Golden seal are also effective home remedies for bed sores. You can simply sprinkle them on the affected area. This can help the bed sores to heal quickly.
- A mixture of milk of magnesia along with iodine is also found effective for bed sores. Before applying the mixture on the wound leave it for thirty minutes.
In addition to all the above mentioned home remedies for bed sores include essential vitamins such as A, B, C, E and also zinc along with fibrous food in your regular diet.
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