Since bedsores are often manifested as a concomitant disease in bedridden patients, they significantly aggravate an already problematic condition. In order for the wounds on the skin to not be able to prevent the therapy of the underlying disease, experts recommend using an ointment for pressure sores when the first symptoms are detected.
What are bedsores
Pressure ulcers are called wounds and ulcers that appear primarily on the skin. The problem arises as a result of pathological processes occurring in the body, or due to squeezing and subsequent death of skin cells. A predisposition to the rapid development of the disease appears against the background of a sedentary lifestyle. Even with quality care for the bedridden patient, the percentage of manifestations of dermatological lesions is quite large. Pressure ulcers often become a problem not only for the patients themselves, but also for relatives who care for them.
Causes of damage to the skin
Most often, ulcers of the skin in the form of pressure sores are encountered by the category of bedridden patients. With a minimum of movements, the patient's skin becomes thinner and depleted, and the absence of loads impedes the function of stretching and compressing the epidermis. A prolonged presence of the body in one pose leads to the occurrence of atrophy. Pressure affects the skin, especially in places of deficiency of the fat layer. A high risk of wounds appears in case of skin moisture from contact with sweat or urine.
Predisposition to the disease
Pressure ulcers can manifest themselves in people with signs of:
- various stages of obesity;
- constant dryness or, conversely, skin moisture;
- iron or protein deficiency in the body;
- endocrine system diseases;
- immobility or poor mobility of the patient.
Disease development
There are several stages of the development of the disease:
- The appearance of redness: in bedridden patients - in places where the body touches the mattress, in other categories - in convex places where the bones join.
- Redness is complicated by the destruction of the outer layer of the skin or visible rejection of the epidermis with the formation of a cavity.
- Ulcers penetrate muscle tissue, with pressure, fluid oozes from the wound, tissue dies.
- In the wound, tendons or parts of the bones are visually visible.
If the symptoms of the disease correspond to the first stage, then deep cleansing and antiseptic treatment are used. In the second and third stages, creams, gels or ointments against bedsores will help. The fourth stage of the disease is subject only to surgical treatment.
Regenerating damage ointments
Usually, when the aforementioned ailment occurs, the patient's choice falls on an ointment from pressure sores, whose name is heard. Or a drug is purchased that was previously used for other purposes in other forms: in the form of tablets or injections.
For example, the drug "Actovegin" is widely used both in injections and in tablets. And even from bedsores, it is released in three versions: gel, ointment and cream. Ointment, unlike other types of medicine, is applied in a thick layer, it can be used in dressings. The drug in any of the above forms helps the penetration of oxygen into cells and increases the speed of their division. A composition is released with a 5% content of the active substance in combination with paraffin, alcohol, propyl and methyl parahydroxybenzoate and purified water.
A similar medicine used against pressure sores is Solcoseryl ointment, which also has, in addition to regenerative, insulin-like action. It is more often than other remedies for bedsores, prescribed for patients with diabetes mellitus. The concentration of the active substance is 5% and is supplemented with an auxiliary component - calcium lactate pentahydrate.
The active substance of these ointments is an extract from blood serum, nucleosides, amino acids and other low molecular weight fractions. The component is obtained in the process of purification and subsequent hemodialysis of the blood of dairy calves. For bedridden patients, ointments from bedsores "Actovegin" and "Solcoseryl" are also recommended for preventive purposes. When used for medicinal purposes at the first stages of application, pain is possible, which soon pass. Sometimes there are allergic reactions in the form of burning.
Reviews of these drugs in most cases are positive, the effectiveness of treatment is observed. Some patients complain of adverse reactions, which forces them to consult a doctor for a new appointment.
Antiseptics and ointments with antibacterial effect
A well-known and simple tool in the fight against pressure sores is "Zinc ointment." The zinc oxide contained in the preparation in combination with petroleum jelly has an antiseptic and drying effect. The applied product envelops the wound, forming the thinnest film. Thus, the ointment from bedsores prevents the entry of microbes and the expansion of the damaged area. It is unacceptable to use the drug with zinc intolerance or in deep purulent ulcers.
"Sulfur ointment" has an antimicrobial component. The main component is sulfur, combined with T2 emulsifier and petroleum jelly, it actively fights against parasites that interfere with wound healing. In addition, the product has a drying effect, which is important for wetting wounds.
"Algofin" is an ointment for bedsores for bedridden patients with purulent skin lesions. Separately, it is worth noting its effect to reduce inflammatory edema and effectively clean the wound surface. It is possible to apply under a sterile gauze dressing if it is necessary to move the patient by turning on the damaged side. The product has natural components and is allowed for use during pregnancy.
Ointments with silver
Medicines containing silver ions in the composition have proven themselves in the treatment of purulent and ulcerative skin lesions. The main component of the drug is called "sulfonamide" and helps to normalize the healing process and restore the skin from pressure sores. Reviews of silver ointments have a positive trend, since their use prevents the occurrence of complications.
"Ebermin" is an ointment with an antiseptic effect, with excellent healing properties. In addition to the active substance, the drug contains a highly purified peptide EGF (epidermal growth factor), which is involved in the restoration of the epithelium with its inherent elasticity. In addition, the ointment eliminates pain, which is important for serious lesions, and has a cosmetic effect.
Sulfargin ointment from bedsores with silver is used for the development of infection in the lesion. When applying the ointment to the wound, specialists can observe a constant antimicrobial effect due to the release of silver ions. The drug is used for trophic ulcers and shallow purulent lesions. Contraindications are the period of pregnancy and lactation, as well as children's age and intolerance to the auxiliary components of the drug.
Cream with silver
In addition to ointments, medicine offers a number of creams with silver. Creams, unlike ointments, have a lighter texture, are softer applied, but also have good reviews when dealing with pressure sores. Cream "Argosulfan" has an analgesic effect, protects healthy skin from the spread of bacteria and is a restorer of the skin.
Cooking ointments at home
Traditional medicine suggests making ointments for the treatment of pressure sores:
- Melt beeswax in a water bath and pour vegetable oil in a 1: 1 ratio. Put on fire and boil the composition. Cool and apply to wounds 2-3 times a day. In the presence of spruce resin, it is also added to the boiling composition in the same proportion as an antiseptic with immunostimulating properties. Storage of the ointment is recommended in the refrigerator.
- Mix butter, oak bark and poplar buds in a ratio of 2: 1: 7 and put in a dark place for 12 hours, after which boil the composition, squeeze out any excess liquid. To apply this ointment from bedsores to damaged areas is necessary in a warm form with an interval of 12-14 hours.
- Melt 500 ml of unrefined oil, 50 g of spruce resin, 10 g of beeswax. Add 10 onion bottoms in the husk and warm over low heat for 40 minutes. Cool the mixture before filtering. After solidification, store in the refrigerator. Apply a thin layer several times a day.
- Mix onion juice and almond oil in a 1: 1 ratio. Apply to ulcerative lesions twice a day.
Home ointments from pressure sores due to the effective composition will surely relieve pain in the affected areas. And in the case of the first and second stages of the disease, they will be able to completely restore blood flow.
Security measures
The main task when caring for patients at particular risk is to eliminate the primary symptoms and prevent the further development of the disease. In addition to drug treatment and the use of products made at home, it is necessary to provide thorough care for the patient and his skin, including:
- Hygiene procedures using special sanitary equipment and cleaning products.
- Frequent change of patient clothing.
- Daily examination of the skin of a sedentary patient for topical identification of lesions.
- Changing the position of the patient 6-8 times a day through turns.
- Drinking plenty of fluids to reduce blood viscosity.
- The use of additional drugs that thin the blood.
- Changing the patient's diet and the inclusion of protein-rich foods in it.
- The implementation of good ventilation of the skin through the use of clothing made from natural fabrics.
- Continuous ventilation and circulation of air masses in a room or ward.
- Passive gymnastics to prevent muscle and tissue atrophy.
- Assistance to the patient when trying to exercise motor function.
- Ensuring the correct position of the limbs on the bed after turns or gymnastics.
- Use of a special mattress and lifting devices for bed patients.
Tool Tips
In a hospital setting, the attending physician will definitely advise an ointment for bedsores for bed patients. The name in this case will not play a special role. The characteristic of the damage and the practical experience of the doctor will be important. And the responsible junior medical staff will talk about the rules for treating wounds. When caring for a patient at home, relatives will rely on the recommendations of pharmacists and advertising in the media.
In any case, the treatment of pressure sores should be started with the proper treatment and cleansing of the site of damage, and the ointment should be used depending on the area of affected skin and the stage of the disease. At the first stage, it is necessary to give the skin maximum oxygen access and ensure its speedy regeneration, at the second - use the healing properties of ointments with an antibacterial effect, and at the third stage, use drugs with a complex effect. If there is no effect from the use of the selected ointment, you need to contact a competent specialist and choose a medicine with another active substance. Every effort must be made to prevent the onset of the fourth stage, which, unfortunately, can only be eliminated by surgery.