Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure sores or eschar, are injuries or swelling caused by prolonged pressure anywhere on the body, usually affecting parts over areas with bone.
Commonly occur between patients with disabilities, paralyzed or bedridden or wheelchair users, because they can not change their position frequently and the continuous pressure of specific parts of the general body the fearsome eschar.
If they are detected in time, the eschar can be treated effectively, although it can become a life-threatening problem as it cuts off the circulation of the body.
Table of Contents
The symptoms of pressure ulcers
- There are four stages that experience pain in bed, as it increased in intensity.
- Only patients with stage I or II can benefit from home remedies?
- Any other symptom that requires the assistance of a medical professional.
- Reddened (or discolored) skin usually develops.
- The site may become firm, or colder than the surrounding skin.
- Stage II creates an open wound, where the outer layer of the skin shows signs of damage.
- Can a pressure ulcer develop?
- A pinkish-red tone.
- Sometimes, a patient may experience a blister filled with fluid that breaks.
- In Stage III, the ulcer has become a deep wound.
- Is the skin lost?
- Usually the exposure of the underlying fat and the dead tissue yellowish.
- The ulcer now resembles a crater and may have spread to affect surrounding healthy skin.
- A patient with an ulcer stage of bed IV has lost a large amount of tissue.
- Muscles, bones and tendons can become exposed, along with dark, dead tissue.
- The symptoms of decubitus ulcers usually appear in the coccyx, shoulder blades, spine, hips, heels, the skin behind the knees, and the backs of the arms and legs.
Home Remedies
When pressure sores go unnoticed and untreated, the threat of infection can take a life-threatening turn for the worst. A quick response can reduce the amount of damage they suffer and long term.
The following home remedies for decubitus ulcers can help treat the first symptoms:
Change of positions:
- Promote the healing of pressure ulcers and prevent the formation of new positions to change while lying in bed.
- When it moves, the pressure releases the skin and circulation begins to increase.
- A patient in a wheelchair should be repositioned every 15 minutes, while patients bedridden should move at least every two hours.
Baby Powder:
- To decrease friction when moving from a patient with pressure ulcers, use baby powder.
- Reduce the pressure to the skin by using pillows for support.
Clean the sore:
- The eschar should be cleaned periodically to promote healing.
- The removal of dead skin is also important.
- Antiseptics can damage the skin and slow the healing process, which makes a warm saline solution (salt water) an appropriate choice.
- You can create a cleansing solution for decubitus ulcers by mixing two cups of water and two or three tablespoons of table salt.
- Let the salt dissolve in the water before transferring to a jar.
- Apply the salt water solution on pressure ulcers?
- Be sure to place a clean towel under the affected skin to catch excess water.
Honey:
- This miraculous substance has played a role in the accelerated healing of the skin and the care of the wound for centuries.
- Honey also acts as a moisturizer for the skin.
- The antiseptic qualities help prevent and treat infections.
- Add honey from a gauze bandage or pad, and place in an eschar.
- Change the honey dressing at least once every 24 hours.
- Better results are typically seen in a week and 10 days.
The mild soap:
- To prevent infection, open wounds should be kept clean.
- Wash gently a stage that the formation of eschar with a mild soap and water.
Keep the skin dry:
- It is very important to keep the dry skin of people together in bed or wheelchair.
- When moisture is trapped under pressure, the tissue begins to deteriorate and become sores can develop.
Vitamins:
- Your body needs nutrients and vitamins to fight the formation of pressure ulcers and to stimulate healing.
- Certain vitamins are more beneficial, such as vitamin C and zinc, which speeds the healing process of wounds.
Magnesia milk Phillips:
- When added to iodine, milk of magnesia has been known to provide a soothing remedy for pressure ulcers.
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Next, apply the pressure ulcer remedy several times a day (or when necessary).
- After a few days, patients have reported signs of scarring.
- Some people have requested milk of magnesia directly in their sores to see the results.
- Another remedy with milk of magnesia Phillips involves the combination of a teaspoon of tea with a teaspoon of sugar to create a paste.
- Spread the mixture over pressure ulcers to encourage a scab to grow over the open wound.
The juices of honey and vegetables:
- Combine two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of rhubarb (or beet) juice to create a healing paste that is applied to pressure ulcers.
- If the mixture is too liquid, add a little flour as a natural thickener.
- Cover the wound with a bandage and change daily.
Air mattress:
- To reduce the pressure of scarring affected by the skin, you may have to sleep on an air mattress to get a comfortable rest.
- The air mattress offered by this type of mattress is less stressful than a mattress with springs.
Aloe Vera:
- Before applying aloe vera gel to a pressure ulcer, clean the area and apply once or twice a day.
- Aloe will bring soothing relief, as well as encourage a quick recovery.
l) Lysol:
- The disinfecting power of Lysol has been used by caregivers of bedridden patients to prevent and cure pressure ulcers.
- Place Lysol in a spray bottle and apply on the part of the body where a pressure ulcer has developed.
- Lysol will help infected ulcers to heal by killing germs.
Humidifier:
- A humidifier prevents dry skin that can lead to irritation associated with pressure ulcers.
- Skin with a good moisture level is more resistant to pressure ulcers and other infections.
Vitamin E oil:
- Apply vitamin E oil on the body to moisturize the skin and make it more resistant to dryness that can lead to decubitus ulcers.
- Get the vitamins:
- If you are in bed or in a wheelchair, eating a diet rich in essential vitamins can become a lifesaver.
- It is important to get plenty of vitamins A, B, C, D and E, which can prevent and cure pressure ulcers.
Turmeric powder:
- Some people have sprinkled turmeric (ginger) powder on the affected skin for the disinfection of a pressure ulcer.
- Drink water:
- When you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water, you keep the skin soft as well as promote the removal of dead tissue.
Stop your vices:
- Bad habits can make decubitus ulcers worse.
- Smoking causes dry skin and decreased blood flow to the skin.
- The healing process also slows down when you smoke tobacco products.
- Drinking caffeinated beverages, such as tea and coffee, should also decrease.
Sugar:
- A mixture of honey and sugar can be applied to the eschar to stimulate healing.
- Apply directly on wounds.
Vaseline:
- To prevent bed sores from ulcers and encourage a faster healing, apply Vaseline.
- Cover with gauze bandages and secure with a piece of tape.
- Reapply petroleum jelly at least twice more to keep the wound covered throughout the day.
Increase Fiber Consumption:
- A daily bowel movement can prevent the worsening of decubitus ulcers.
- Increase fiber intake can help
- Consider fruits, vegetables and cereals rich in fiber.
Massage:
- In the early stages of pressure ulcers, the area can be massaged to promote better circulation at pressure points.
Vitamin E soap:
- A sponge bath every day with a soap containing vitamin E is beneficial for a patient with decubitus ulcers.
- Cotton clothes:
- Wearing clothes made of cotton offers a breathable material that makes skin with sores more comfortable.
