Bed sores are caused when a person is bedridden for a long time. They are red in color initially and then with time they become purple. You have to treat bed sores as soon as you notice them. If not, these may open up and cause infection. This infection may spread to other areas as well. The areas of the body most affected by bed sores are lower back, shoulder blades, buttocks, heels, hips, legs, joints etc.
Symptoms of Bed Sores:
- Itching on the areas of the body which are always under pressure.
- Lesions on the skin, especially on the joints and other such parts that are bony.
- Redness on the skin, which does not turn white when pressure is applied on it.
- Tenderness on the area affected by bed sores.
- Swelling and pus formation, which gives out a foul smell.
- Pain in the muscles and joints.
- Blisters and sores. These appear in the later stages.
Home Remedies to Treat or Prevent Bed Sores:
You have to treat bed sores at the earliest. Make sure that you turn the patient as often as possible. This way there will be proper circulation of blood o all parts of the body. Keep the skin dry and clean.
Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera is great for treating bed sores. Apply aloe vera gel on the affected area daily and this keeps the area cool, soft and smooth. The cooling effect of this gel provides relief from the pain and itchiness caused by bed sores.
Avoid smoking:
Smoking can make the skin dry and reduce the supply of blood. So, patients must quit smoking to heal bed sores fast.
Balanced diet:
You can treat bed sores by giving the patient a well balanced and healthy diet. Make sure that the diet is rich in Vitamin A, B, C, D and E. Zinc and iron are said to be good for treating bed sores. Patients are also advised to have foods rich in fiber.
Lysol:
Lysol is also an excellent remedy for curing bed sores. Take Lysol in a spray bottle and spray it on the bed sores. Do this two or three times a day. This will remove the germs that are responsible for causing the infection and also heals the sores fast. This remedy is very effective and followed by many people.
Massages:
A relaxing massage is an excellent remedy for treating bed sores. Massaging helps in increasing the circulation of blood and thus heals them and prevents sores from multiplying Give the patient a gentle body massage daily. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, mustard oil and so on for massaging. When you massage, take care not to apply any pressure on the bed sores.
Milk of magnesia and iodine:
In hospitals this remedy is used for curing bed sores. This is very effective and makes healing fast. Mix milk of magnesia and iodine and keep it for 30 minutes. When it is ready, you can apply it on the bed sores. Apply it daily, every few hours.
Petroleum jelly:
Petroleum jelly is great for treating bed sores as this helps in keeping the skin well moisturized and smooth. Apply petroleum jelly on a sterile bandage and cover the wound with it. This helps in regenerating the tissues around the wound and heals the sore.
Sugar and honey:
Mix sugar and honey and apply this on the affected area twine a day. This helps in curing bed sores effectively. This mixture removes any poison from the sores and thus prevents infection from getting worse.
Slippery elm and comfrey leaves:
Take equal amounts of both the ingredients and mix them well to get a paste. Apply this on the sores and you can cover it with a sterile bandage. Leave it overnight and the next day you will find the bed sores healed.
Saline water:
Saline water helps in healing the bed sores faster. Saline water reduces the extra fluids in the sores and removes dead skin. You can also prevent inflammation and infection by using saline water. Take one cup of water and add 2 teaspoons of salt to it. Boil this water and then cool it. Apply this water on the sores. This will clean and disinfect the bed sores. Let the affected area get dry, and then you can cover the area with a bandage. Do this several times a day to get quick results.
Talcum or baby powder:
Talcum or baby powder can also provide relief form bed sores. You can apply them on the sore and also on areas that are put under most pressure. This helps in preventing moisture and thus prevents sores from multiplying. Infection is also prevented by using this powder. Clean the sores with a disinfectant and then apply talcum or baby powder. This will help in healing the sores.
Turmeric powder:
Turmeric powder has antiseptic properties and is great for healing bed sores. All you have to do is to take some turmeric powder and sprinkle it on the sores. This will cure sores and prevents the infection from spreading.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin is an excellent remedy for curing bed sores. Apply Vitamin E oil on the affected area everyday and this will help in giving relief from the pain and itchiness caused by bed sores. You can apply this oil on the entire body to keep the skin smooth and supple.
Vitamin E oil and goldenseal powder:
Take one teaspoon of goldenseal powder and mix it with the oil taken form 2 vitamin E capsules. Mix them well and add some olive oil if the mixture is dry. Apply this mixture on the bed sores three or more times daily. Goldenseal powder has antiseptic properties, which prevents infection and makes healing of sores fast.
Water:
Patients who suffer from bed sores have to drink lots of water. Water helps in keeping the skin well hydrated and soft. It also helps in removing dead skin cells. You have to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to prevent and heal bed sores.
