Bed Sores

Bed sores commonly occur in the elderly, or those who are bedridden, in a coma, and paralyzed. Lying in bed, or sitting in a wheel chair for a continuous period of time cuts off the blood circulation to pressure points, and a bed sore begins.

Initially, the bedsore will appear red in color, and eventually turns purple. Bedsores are commonly located at the hip, spine, lower back, elbows, heels, buttocks, and shoulder blades.

Bedsores are terribly painful, and if they are not treated immediately, they will break open, and be prone to infection. The infection can be very serious if the infection spreads to bone and/or muscle tissue.

If a bedridden person is pulled or dragged from bed, friction causes the skin and muscles to stretch. Blood circulation is compromised, causing damage and ultimately, bedsores. 

Skin is very sensitive in bedridden individuals, and any moisture, perspiration, bed-wetting, or feces, leads to greater chances of bed sores.

A lack of movement, poor diet, and a lack of sensation that keeps the bedridden individual from feeling the pressure on their skin, all contribute to the likelihood of bed sores.

Home Remedies for Bed Sores:

Prevention of Bed Sores:

Vitamin E massages increase circulation, and Vitamin E helps to prevent bed sores. Keeping the skin clean and dry prevents moisture from contributing to the formation of bed sores. 

A diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and zinc is extremely, as is limiting meat, and including extra fiber in the diet, helps to prevent bed sores from forming.

Treatments:

Spray the whole body with antibacterial skin spray to eliminate bacteria, which can promote the growth of bed sores.

Wash with Lysol hand soap to remove germs, or a heavy duty cleanser such as Hibiclens Antimicrobial Antiseptic Skin Cleanser which is frequently used as a surgical skin cleanser.

A poultice of honey and sugar applied to the wound helps draw the infection from the bed sores.

Zinc oxide ointment, aloe vera, wheat germ oil, or comfrey also makes poultices good for healing bed sores.

Mixing comfrey leaves and slippery elm in equal amounts to form a paste, on a piece of cloth, secured to cover the sore, and left overnight, have shown to be effective as a home remedy to cure bed sores. 

Sprinkling echinacea powder or goldenseal on bedsores and covering them with cotton bandaging, will promote healing.

Washing two to four times a day with a combination of witch hazel, myrrh, turmeric root, and goldenseal is a good, natural remedy to help heal bed sores, but the single best thing for bedsores is careful observation, repositioning the incapacitated person often, and maintaining a clean, dry environment, so the bed sores never form.