How do you treat bedsores?

Question

My cousin broke 2 vertebre's in his back, 3 ribs and a clavicle bone. He's been in a cast around his back and ribs for a week now and can only sleep on his back. He's developed bed sores and they look really bad. He doesn't have a family doctor and can't find one that accepts medicare. Any nurses or others who have dealt with bedsores before who can help would be great! Thanks!

Answer 1

There are lots of ways:
Clean them with normal saline( just salt water), are they open and deep? If so, then soak a bandage with saline and insert it inside the sore and cover with a bandage. Change every 2-3 days, no more often than that, unless there are a lot of secretions soaking thru.
Have him eat an overabundance of high protein foods to aid in tissue repair.
If there is a smell to it, or reddened and inflammed on the outter edges with or without a fever, chances are it's infected and he will HAVE to go to the hospital for antibiotics, or it could seriously be life-threatening without med's.
HTH, good luck

Oh, and if he's bed ridden. you should try to turn him as much as able from side to side every 2-3 hours to prevent him laying on the same spot for too long. That is what causes decubitus ulcers aka Bed Sores.

Answer 2

(Bedsores can be difficult to treat once they go beyond stage 2. In the early stages when the skin is still intact bedsores usually heal by themselves once the pressure has been removed. Once the skin is broken the main aim is to prevent infection and protect the sore so that it can heal. Special dressings and honey preparations may be used to help the healing process. Occasionally dead tissue may be removed with a scalpel (debridement).

Deep bedsores are very difficult to treat and often require surgical treatment to remove dead and decaying tissue. Sometimes healthy skin may be transplanted to the damaged area. Infections need treatment with antibiotics. In severe or life-threatening situations amputation of limbs may be necessary.)

Answer 3

Hello I have had pressure sores my self. I once had 7 operations on my left buttocks. The best thing to do is stay off of it because it will only get worse. I was on bed rest for 1 year because I was to stubborn to stay off of my wheelchair. If it is as bad as you say you have to take him to a doctor. The doctor will see to it that medical pays for his medical supplies that he need to treat the wounds. Where I got my supplies for my sores was at the Shield Health care company and that is where I still keep getting my catheter supplies from. I've been with them since I was 15 years old when I was paralyzed. Now I am 28 years old. Here is there number they can tell you what you need from your doctor. (800)-228-7150. You need to try and have him off of those sore areas as much as you can.

Answer 4

I was a CNA at a nursing home. Look for a product called Lanaseptic at the pharmacy. If the skin is broke treat it like a regular wound and he will need to turn in different positions use pillows to change his positions so that he is not just in one place. Also massaging with lotion will get the blood flowing back to his skin and that will help him heal.

Answer 5

this may said bad but use a item called cow utter balm it's great for bed sores. i used it on an elderly lady who devoloped bedsores from being bed riden. u propably can find this at any feed store. good luck helping ur cousin and God bless u. Star. [e-mail]

Answer 6

He needs to see a wound care specialist right away. There are a number of them that accept medicare. Call the hospital and get a referral to a wound specialist

Answer 7

Lanaceptic