Bed sores: Hi there. My hubby sits in his... - PSP Association

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Bed sores

Duffers profile image
28 Replies

Hi there. My hubby sits in his riser/ recliner nearly all day. He wears a convene and tena pants with liner for accidents of both kinds. He now has a very sore bottom and i am rubbing on ordinary cream. Any suggestions of something better to ward off broken skin and sores. Marie

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Duffers profile image
Duffers
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28 Replies
easterncedar profile image
easterncedar

I use a barrier cream, made for babies, comes in a tub, consistency something like whipped Vaseline, but less sticky and more absorbent, and also clean him with disposable " flannels" that have a protective cream in them. So far I have had no problems at all, but he is not immobile yet, spends some part of the day standing and goes from chair to chair.

Duffers profile image
Duffers in reply to easterncedar

Many thanks for that. Ive managed to get a phone conference with doc this eve, after a lot of hassle with the receptionist, so see what he says and combine the two answers. Marie

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to easterncedar

Which cream us that please . I use Bepanthem for babies .

easterncedar profile image
easterncedar in reply to cabbagecottage

This will be the third time I've tried to answer this - and it probably won't do you any good - What I use is the Rite-Aid (US pharmacy chain) brand Vitamin A+D ointment. I bet it's not as good as your Bepanthem. It has a scent, for one thing.

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to easterncedar

I got it , thank you . I am having to go into my trash to pick up e mail alerts so apologise if I miss any ...

NannaB profile image
NannaB

If you are in the U.K and haven't already done so, contact your district nurse who will provide the best cream for the sore. It depends how deep it is and how much of the surface it covers. What works for one sore, won't for others. Is he sitting on a special cushion? There are several different kinds available. Again the district nurse can provide them but if he is wearing a pad, he will not feel the benefit of a pressure cushion.

If he is sitting all day in the same chair, even a reclining chair, he is at risk of becoming sore. I was told my husband should be moved off his bottom every two hours, which with a full hoist was not easy but spending time on his side in bed with just a light sheet covering his bottom and a pad strategically placed helped no end.

I moved my husband frequently when he could sit in his chair but he still developed a sore due to poor nutrition. He couldn't eat enough to keep his body healthy. Within two weeks of having a PEG fitted his skin all over his body was extremely healthy, soft, pink, all blemishes had disappeared and he never had another sore. He gained weight and lived for another 10 months.

I hope the sore soon heals as your hubby must be very uncomfortable.

All the best.

XxxX

abirke profile image
abirke

I just read Nannab's reply, and I too help B to move around. He too has a PEG AND a catheter. So the only form of walking he gets now, is to and from the bathroom to empty his bag. This takes roughly 10 minutes. He also walks up and down our ramp hopefully once a day and the gym hopefully 2x a week. But when he is just sitting there, I do help him stand up....just stand for a few minutes. When I was a teacher we had this completely disabled student who we would put on the floor mat and let her rest on her side (we propped her up with body wedges) usually about 15 minutes on each side twice a day. and this was a supplement to her physical therapy which put her in a contraption that let her stand! / Getting that blood to flow in all parts of the body is so necessary!

I know of only preemptive things to do as we have yet to experience sores and creams!

Good luck to you

AVB

Heady profile image
Heady

Hi, can't advise you on creams, as S hasn't had one yet. I do try to keep getting him to sit in various different positions in his recliner, which seems to relieve pressure on his bottom.

Lots of love

Heady

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

I always use Bepanthem is for babies . I find it better then Cavilon which the nurse prescribes .

At the first sign of broken skin call the D nurse.

Personal I believe in prevention better than cure . I ask the nurse for some transparent dressing . They protect the skin. Make sure to give pressure relief often

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

Once John had the air mattress his skin improved . Can get the air cushion as well

Dizz58 profile image
Dizz58

I agree, get the district nurses for this problem, pressure sores can go from minor to major in no time. They'll provide all the pressure relieving equipment and can usually arrange next day delivery. As for creams Cavilon is second to none it stays on the skin for hours, it's the best there is. I clean Mum's skin with a foam cleanser called Senset made by a company called Vernacare I only use water on her nether regions once a day. The cleansing foam smells lovely and really freshens the skin, it's also ph balanced and soap free. Follow with cavilon twice a day. I buy it online and get it cheap when I can. I feel it's expensive but worth it. The DN's will also carry Cavilon for broken skin and will advise you which is best.

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Dizz58

I use th Senset all the time . It's amazing at cleansing . Less water the better for the skin.

The Senset seem to soak any mess up easily doesn't it ,

It's not terribly expensive either . I buy the box of twelve at a time. , I only use wipes with cleansing pas well .

I don't use toilet paper at all always tissue ..

So far so good with sires now

I do find the sacrum area can rub dry and split if not careful .

If we notice it I out a dressing in to prevent further rubbing / Pressure

Dizz58 profile image
Dizz58 in reply to cabbagecottage

Brilliant stuff cabbagecottage Mum doesn't get cavilon on prescription because she's not sore but I get deals on both online and feel it's a small price to pay

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Dizz58

Prevention better than cure , belt and braces lol

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Dizz58

Check our care Co site called MEDORIS the support cushions pillows and more are excellent .

Dizz58 profile image
Dizz58 in reply to cabbagecottage

I had a hand grip with finger separators for one of Mum's contracted hands from Medoris cabbagecottage it was brilliant. No good anymore I'm afraid. I can only get one square of gauze in each hand now. Senset is excellent for cleaning in the crevices of those too and less painful for her than trying to wash them everyday If anybody could use the handgrip though just let me know and I'll post it to them anywhere in the UK.

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Dizz58

Sorry they are not suitable, anymore Fizz 58 .

It's an excellent site isn't it . A bit expensive but hey he can't spend his money on anything else .

The OT told me about it , she gave is a long roll pillow and one for the bed rail .

I have since bought more .

The carers call me Mrs Dunhelm lol.

Today I had delivered a coxyxx and back pillow . Will let you know how they work .or Not ,

I have put a puppy pad on top of the coxyxx pillow , so fingers crossed I can keep that clean ...xx

Duffers profile image
Duffers

Hi everyone. Thank you all for your kind suggestions re bed sores. Ive got nurse coming today to look at gers bottom because the doc wanted to know the extent of sores before prescribing anything. I have kept all your suggestions in case his recommendation isnt any good. All the best. Marie

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Duffers

I also line the back of the pad with two dry wipes , use like a liner .

If slightly soiled can be used to wipe and often save the pad of clean . They are nice and soft

Marie_14 profile image
Marie_14 in reply to Duffers

Marie

Have they prescribed cream for your husband? Don't be fobbed off. I am surprised that the doctor didn't act at once. Our DN's have cream which they provide at the first sign of a pressure sore. I have to say it didn't stop him getting them anyway but that was because of the way he was positioned by the carers in bed! It happened in the space if 24 hours! He was and is still using Proshield Spray followed by cream. Sorry I didn't see this before! Fingers crossed that his pressure sores are healing. I have to say we swear by Proshield as does the Care Home!

From the other Marie!

Seldom come across someone with my name!

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Duffers

Don't be put off. They told me he wS ok but it soon started to break down,

Prevention better than cure .

I bought some dressing on line now myself and the dip strips to test ursine

we become carers nurses doctors c,earners . Chamber maud . Chiropodist Barber the lot ,

Yanno profile image
Yanno

I agree with the other comments about getting the right cream.

Also, Jax, my wife, had sores on her heels and was recommended by a friend to use a sheepskin under her feet - job done, problem solved within a few days. I kicked myself because the same person had suggested this for my mother some months ago who had sores on her bottom - I had completely forgotten - again in that instance the problem was solved (with cream as well) very quickly.

Duffers profile image
Duffers

Hi all. The nurse came out today and prescribed cavilon for ger without any hesitation. She also said she'd ordered a pressure cushion for his chair. Nice to meet someone who does things because they need doing.Will try and collect cavilon tomor when i come back from the ideal home exhibition at olympia. My brother in law is sitting with ger. Got free tickets on martins money matters site. Not a bad day.

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

I can recommend a site called MEDORIS , they have lovely soft pressure cushions , pillows and more .

Duffers profile image
Duffers

Wow, the amount of things out there for sores is amazing. My list for "just in case" is getting longer. Thanks again to all you wonderful people for taking the time and effort to offer help and advice. Marie

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

The is another interesting site it's called Simple STuff .

Julieandrog profile image
Julieandrog

Hihi are you in the UK? If so speak to a DN asap. Creams only act as a barrier which is good but you need to get the pressure off and there are lots of things out there which they can supply. If you are not in Blighty not sure! Most lovely crisp morning here , his lordship still asleep, I am tucked under the duvet drinking my tea, small things please ! Xx

Duffers profile image
Duffers

Hi julie yes in uk, harrow, and have cavillon now but still waiting for pressure pad. Hope it comes soon. Too much sitting. Thank you for your help. A beautiful crisp sunny wintery day here also. I like these kind of days. All ghe best. Marie

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