Home Remedies for Bed Sores

Bed sores are skin wounds brought about by the pressure applied on the affected areas due to lying in bed or using a wheelchair for an extended period of time. Although they are commonly observed in the elderly, a person of any age who is immobile for various reasons is also at high risk of having bed sores.

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Also referred to at times as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, bed sores require medical treatment in order to keep the wounds from ending up infected. Indeed, allowing the condition that usually affects the back of the head, shoulder blades, back of the arms and legs, buttocks and heels to heal is very important.

Other than the treatment plan recommended by a doctor, there are also a few home remedies that can help in managing bed sores. Some of the ones that are known to work very well include:

Cleansing with Saline Solution

It’s of utmost importance to have those open wounds cleaned to keep infections at bay. The use of saline solution is the best cleansing approach. While ready-made saline solution can be purchased at the drugstore, you may also make one at home. Simply boil water with salt in it. For every cup of water, add 2 tablespoons of salt.

Sprinkling Turmeric on the Sores

After cleansing the wounds, sprinkling a little turmeric powder on them can help accelerate the healing process. The well-known spice is capable of killing off microbes that can cause infections. In addition, turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. You may also ask the afflicted person to drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of turmeric in it twice a day.

Applying Aloe Vera Gel

The gooey substance inside the aloe vera gel is actually packed with vitamin E which is very effective in treating bed sores. Simply break open a leaf, squeeze out the gel within and gently apply it on the problem areas. For added soothing effect, you may place the aloe vera leaf in the fridge for a few minutes in order to cool the gel within.

Disinfecting the Wounds with Honey

For a mild case of bed sores, you may rely on honey to prevent an infection from happening. All you need to do is spread generous amounts of honey on the wounds and allow its superb antiseptic properties to spring into action. Honey promotes faster healing by keeping the affected skin areas hydrated as well as bacteria-free.

Moisturizing with Coconut Oil

Another effective and all-natural way to keep the problem areas hydrated is by gently applying coconut oil on them. This healthy oil not only provides superb moisture to the skin cells, but kills off bacteria present too. It is also a good idea to massage the skin with coconut oil regularly to improve blood circulation and ward off the appearance of sores.

Adding More Vitamin C to the Diet

Everyone knows that vitamin C strengthens the immune system and promotes healthier skin. That’s why someone with bed sores or is at high risk of having the condition should be provided with a vitamin C-rich diet on a daily basis. Some excellent sources of vitamin C include dark green leafy vegetables, berries, papayas, kiwis, and citrus fruits.

Supplying Zinc-Rich Foods

Other than vitamin C, zinc is a nutrient highly beneficial for someone with bed sores. That’s because it also bolsters the immune system and promotes damaged tissue repair, thus accelerating the healing of open sores. Foods that are rich in zinc include oysters, crabs, beef, lamb, chicken, wheat germ, pumpkins, beans, mushrooms, nuts and seeds.

Changing Body Positions Regularly

Finally, it’s a good idea to have the position of the individual lying in bed or seated in a wheelchair changed on a regular basis. This will help in relieving the amount of pressure or friction applied on the affected areas. As a general rule of thumb, the affected person’s position should be changed every 2 to 3 hours.

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