How to Avoid Bedsores
When bedsores are developing there is usually a sligbt burning or stinging of the part, especially when alcohol is rubbed over itThis indicates that the skin is nearly broken. When breaking occurs the use of alcohol should be discon¬tinued and oxide of zinc ointment or stearate of zinc powder applied instead. Bathing in fairly cool salt water is also excellent to strengthen the skin, even though temporarily it may cause smarting. Immediately remove all pressure from the part, and do any rubbing toward the affected area, not away from it, as the latter will have a tendency to tear the skin if it is weak.
It is a wise precaution to ask the patient occasionally if he experiences any stinging during the alcohol rub or at other -times, lest he be one of the stoics who think it is the duty of a sick person to put up with pain or discomfort. If the parts subjected to pressure are bathed with cool water twice a day and then dried thoroughly and rubbed well with a little oil, bedsores, except in some abnormal cases, will usually be pre¬vented. Rubbing with alcohol after this treatment is beneficial also, because of the “toughening” influence of the alcohol. So also is salt used in the bath that precedes the oil rub.
Talcum applied after the treatment will be of additional value.
. At the least suggestion of redness of any part exposed to pressure, before the patient himself makes any complaint of burning or stinging at such points, remove the pressure from the part. The simplest way to do this is to turn the patient. If this cannot be done it will be necessary to use cushions, or rings of rubber or cotton, or air-pillows, or an air- or a water-mattress. Pillows or cotton rings must be made to fit about so no pressure will come upon the part but all upon the normal tissue surrounding it.