Bed sores result when people are unable to move away from one position as a result of illness, medical procedure, or other constraining conditions. Confinement leads to injuries that expose the skin and underlying issues to wear and tear, as a result of immobility. Bed sores are sometimes described as pressure ulcers or as pressure sores.

Home Remedies for Bed Sores

1. Drink Water

Water enables the optimization of circulation in the body and when there are bed sores in your body, keeping hydrated is important. Try to drink at least eight cups of water a day.

2. Change Positions

The pressure and stress of bed sores are reduced when you are able to change position at intervals. This also cuts down the risk of new sores sprouting. When sitting or laying down for long periods of time, try to shift your position every half hour. If possible, get out of the bed or chair to move around.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is rich in anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory agents. This remedy is able to help you deal with a myriad of symptoms and infections. To use this home remedy, use sterile water to clean the surface. You can also use a disinfectant like a methyl spirit before sprinkling turmeric and covering it up with a bandage. Do this three times a day. You can also add turmeric to your meals to benefit from its many healing agents.

5. Keep Skin Dry

When moisture accumulates, it makes it easy for the condition to deteriorate. To improve skin condition, keep the skin dry. Pat the sore skin spots with a clean dry towel to remove moisture. Make sure to dry completely after a shower or bath before getting dressed.

6. Honey

Honey is replete with natural antiseptic agents. When applied to your skin, it also moisturizes skin, expedites healing, and reduces itching. It has pain-reducing effects as well. To use honey as a home remedy, mix equal parts sugar and honey to make a paste out of it. Put this paste on your affected areas and cover with a bandage. Change the bandage at least once a day.

7. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm can be used with comfrey leaves to make a remedy that is effective against bed sores. Mix equal parts of slippery elm and comfrey leaves until the are a paste. Rub this paste on the bedsores and cover with a bandage. Remove the bandage after 24 hours.

8. Banana Leaf with Honey

Take a bandage-size piece of banana leaf and rub honey on it. Put the leaf on your bed sores, with the honey side touching your skin. Lay on the leaves for at least half an hour at a time. When you are done using this treatment, rinse off the honey with cool water.

9. Fit a Cushion

If you are using a wheelchair, place a cushion on the seat so that your body can fit in properly and be properly safeguarded. This will not cure current bed sores, but it should prevent new ones from forming.

10. Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in the proper functionality of blood vessels and the network of cells and tissues that make up the skin. The powerful anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants present in this vitamin make it possible for the skin to heal properly and keep your tissues from damage. Try to eat foods that are rich in vitamin C as often as possible. Some foods rich in vitamin C are are citrus fruits and peppers.

11. Saline Water

Using saline water to clean sores expedites the healing process. When you fail to clean properly, inflammation and infections result. The effect of saline water will lead to exfoliation of dead skin cells and reduce excess fluid. To make saline water, mix two teaspoons of salt in one cup of water. Boil this mixture until you can no longer see the salt. Let the mixture cool, and then rub it on your skin with a clean cloth. Do this several times a day to get the best results.

12. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has soothing properties which promote healing. When used on sores, it keeps the affected parts moisturized, which can prompt healing. Rub aloe vera gel on your bed sores until the gel dries. Once dry, wipe off the gel with a clean, damp cloth. Do this three times a day to get the best results.

13. High Protein Foods

When you eat foods with high protein content, you are building your muscles and strengthening your body. Any injury or wound has a better chance of healing with adequate protein supply. Foods that are high in protein include meat, beans, and nuts.

14. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains naturally healthy fatty acids, which promotes healthy skin. It also serves to help your body avoid damage that comes come pressure of prolonged positioning. When massaged onto your skin, there is improved blood circulation. To use this home remedy, simply rub the coconut oil on the skin around your sores (not directly on the sores) three times a day. This home remedy also works well for arthritis symptoms.

15. Goldenseal

Goldenseal has antiseptic properties that keep infections at bay. It also has pain–relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. It leaves the affected skin feeling soothed when applied on bed sores. To use this home remedy, mixa teaspoon of golden seal powder into a cup of boiling water. Strain the water and cool the water. Put this water on your skin twice a day to dry out the bed sores.

16. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is well-reviewed as a home remedy that treats bed sores. Use hand sanitizer to clean the areas around your bed sores. This can kill the germs around the area, which can prevent infection and promote healing.

17. Zinc

Zinc helps to improve the body’s immune system. A healthy immune system helps to improve the body’s healing speed. Regular cell regeneration, growth, and upkeep are made possible by zinc. To use this home remedy, you can take zinc supplements, use zinc ointment on your bed sores, or eat foods that are rich in zinc (leafy greens, nuts, and gourds).

18. Sheepskins and Soft Mattress

Soft cushioning from foam and soft mattresses helps to reduce the pressure on bed sores. Sheepskins and blankets are good for this purpose and for bony spots. Cushioning sore areas promotes healing and works to prevent new bed sores from forming.

19. Massages

A massage helps a great deal to promote healing of sores, blood circulation and prevention of infections. Only put a little pressure on the areas with bed sores. You can put slightly more pressure on the surrounding areas. A good rule of thumb is: if it hurt to touch, don’t touch it.

20. Milk of Magnesia

Milk of magnesia is an effective remedy for bedsores. This remedy is deployed widely in hospitals for fast recovery. To use this home remedy, make a mix of iodine and milk of magnesia. Let this mix sit for half an hour before using. Once set, rub this mixture on your bed sores at least once a day.

21. Wear Loose Clothing

Tight underwear, clothes with heavy seams, and tight fitters should all be avoided when treating bed sores. You do not want to increase peeling from friction and exacerbation of the wounds or encourage inflammation. Try to wear simple clothing. Loose, cotton clothing, is best.

22. Talcum Powder

Talcum powder, when applied to the bed sores, minimizes moisture and keeps the risk of infection low. This powder promotes healing by keeping the sores dry. If moisture is left unattended to, the risk of infections can increase. Put talcum powder on clean, dry skin. Do this at least two times a day.

23. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is highly effective when used as treatment for bed sores. It heals the bed sores when applied on a sterile bandage and placed over the wound. The resultant effect is that around the sore spots, the tissues will regenerate faster for complete healing.

24. Avoid Tobacco

Smoking dries out the skin and can lead to poor supply of blood to vital areas. Tobacco –based products, like chew, should also be avoided. Ideally, one should quit using these products entirely. However, if you do not want to quit, you should at least limit yourself until your bed sores have healed.

25. Valerian

This remedy is well-proven to work effectively as inflammation remedy and pain-soother. Your muscles will be able to relax easily, which should promote healing. Use this as directed on the package.

26. Papaya Milk

Papaya milk is a healthy treatment for bed sores and can be extracted from the tree trunk of the papaya tree or the fruit itself (while still green). Rub papaya milk on your sores at least three times a day to reduce itching and to prevent further bed sores.

27. Lobelia Extract

This extract is excellent at relaxing the muscles when rubbed on your skin. It will promote faster skin healing and even out the sore sites. Use this as directed on the bottle.

28. Beetroot

When beetroot is added to honey, it produces an excellent healing mix that will lead to faster healing and regeneration of skin. This mix will soothe and heal the bed sores promptly. To use this home remedy, juice three beetroots. Mix the juice with two tablespoons of honey. Use a cotton ball to rub this mixture onto your bed sores. Do this at least three times a day to get the best results.

29. Licorice

Licorice is an anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory that can spur estrogenic actions. Do not consume more than 2 milligrams of licorice root every day to prevent unpleasant effects. The easiest way to use licorice as a home remedy is to drink two cups of licorice tea a day: one in the morning and one before bed.

30. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry can be used to treat bed sores by mixing a teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder in a cup of warm water. Simply drink one cup of this beverage before every meal. Do this until you no longer have bed sores.

31. Fiber-Rich Diet

Eat lots of meals that are rich in fiber to speed up your bed sore recovery time. Lentils, fruits, and rice bran are good examples of fiber-rich foods. Other meals, like fatty foods and red meat, should be minimized until your healing is complete.

32. Hygiene

Sweat, urine, fecal matter, and drainage from the bed sores should be wiped off so that infections and inflammation can be avoided. This should also speed up the healing time of the bed sores.

33. Myrrh

A mix of myrrh and witch hazel is effective for treating lesions and open wounds. Apply a mix of equal parts myrrh and witch hazel to your bed sores. Do this at least four times a day to get the best results.

34. Avoid Cold Weather

Cold weather leads to skin damage. You should limit exposure when the weather is cold, as dry skin gets irritated and damaged in this scenario. If you must go out in the cold, make sure that you are bundled up in layers of warm clothing.

35. Healthy Diet

Healthy meals boost recovery from wounds and bed sores. It is best to eat natural foods, instead of processed foods. Try to focus your diet on foods that are high in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.

Which of these home remedies will you try out? Comment below!

References

http://www.myhealthtips.in/2013/09/home-remedies-to-treat-bedsores.html
http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-bed-sores.html
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000740.htm

http://homeremedyshop.com/13-remedies-for-bed-sores/
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/190115-treatment
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Treatment.aspx
http://www.naturalremedies.org/bed-sores/