HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Bed Sore In A Paralysis Patient

Posted on Fri, 28 Aug 2015

Question: My mother in law is suffering from paralysis from past 1year.Nw from the past 3months she is suffering from bed sore which is growing constantly .pls help and provide some medication.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Reposition every 2 hours; Apply Zinc oxide cream, thrice or more daily

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the Image.

Bed sore is a complication in paralysis patients and is primarily due to ischaemic damage to skin due to constant pressure of body weight as a result of lying down in a single position for long periods of time.
Moisture and soiling of clothing makes skin fragile and prone to develop a sore.
Predisposing factors for a bed sore include old age, fragile skin, poor nutrition, underlying diabetes etc.
This weakened skin under constant pressure ultimately breaks down to form an open sore. Bed sore may be complicated by secondary bacterial infection.

Frequent repositioning of the patient i.e change of posture every 2 hours is essential to prevent a bed sore as well as allow an existing one to heal.
Avoid soiling of clothes. Correct malnutrition, if present and Use Alternating pressure mattresses for her.

Bed sores may heal slowly, specially in old and fragile individuals.

If I was the treating doctor I would suggest her to apply Zinc Oxide cream over the sore e.g dermaseal 15% cream.
In addition I would suggest a course of an Oral antibiotic e.g Augmentin 625 mg (Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid), thrice daily for 5 days.
In addition I would suggest a tablet of Vitamin C once daily for 4 weeks.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

Actually she is also a diabetic patient so could this medication can cause any side effect to her?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This medication is safe for her

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Diabetes also predisposes to bed sores, as already mentioned. This medication is safe for her.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

My husband is also suffering from some kind of infection which is get worst wen he sweat..kindly have a look on his condition also

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection; Oral and topical antifungals

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have reviewed the Images.
This seems like a fungal infection. I suggest an otc topical antifungal e.g either clotrimazole 1% cream Or miconazole nitrate 2% cream, twice daily.
An Oral antifungal e.g fluconazole tablet, once weekly for 4 weeks would also be advisable.
Oral antifungals are prescription drugs and should always be taken under supervision of a dermatologist.
An otc oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily will provide him symptomatic relief from itching.
I suggest that he visits a dermatologist in vicinity for a confirmatory diagnosis and for the needful.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E