Recipies for avoiding/treating sores/skin issues

[NoDecafPlz]

OK, let's see if I can contribute another potential stickie thread of use to the community. Since skin issues are EVEN MORE a universal issue than UTI's, therefore, I propose we use this thread to contribute what we found to be successful for each of us. This doesn't replace a doctor's visit or wound care consult, just tips and pointers that worked for us. There are a range of issues here so I suggest you bold in the upper title box what particular stage, issue you are contributing for.

HEAT RASH

Most of us in the summer time have issues with heat rash. I have to worry about it year round so here is what I do. I use a paste mixture of Desitin
and Caldesene powder. Both of these contain zinc oxide and after applying to groin, I put some extra powder on top. No issues, no problems.

In the summer I use Zeasorb (anti-fungal) powder ONLY (no paste) which apparently gives cancer to mice in California. (I'm a man in New Jersey so I should be fine)
I do not use a paste because it just gets swampy.

There is another powder on the market that I have not tried. Anti-Monkeybutt (I shit you not) It is a Calamine lotion powder that race car drivers use. It is a little pricey so until it comes down a little, I'll skip it.


SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY HELP PREVENT/TREAT SORES

Besides pressure reliefs, diet is key. When I was at Magee, I met their Nutritionist who worked on the team to develop specific supplements
to treat and prevent pressure sores.

Pro-source plus (packet or liquid) provides 15 grams of gluten and lactose free protein per two tablespoons. It isn't cheap, 4 32oz bottles cost me $113 but only $4 shipping. As long as your diet allows, you could save more money by going with a weight trainers protein mix (Muscle Milk etc) that would taste better and put some weight on you if at high risk. (I have a gluten issue so I need to get my protein from Hemp, Milk,[lactose free] Meat or Eggs.)

Other products helped develop at Magee are Vitament, ArgiMent and Argiten
these are often combined and as far as I know, used at every stage of sore.

Here is the best priced website I have found that would give more info.

http://www.activehomenutrition.com/

LETS MAKE THIS THREAD A KEEPER!

[Obieone]

Excellent idea Joe ...... you're stuck ...... now carry on everyone !!

Obieone

[NoDecafPlz]

Thank ya sweetie!!! ((MUAH))

[NoDecafPlz]

Well, maybe ya better unlock this sweetie.

Last shot, Proshield cream was the topical used each morning to assist skin
in sore prevention when skin was clear.

[RollingInParadise]

i apply lantiseptic cream to my butt every other night to keep skin from getting dry and at the top of butt crack to avoid shear crack/tears.

high protein diet is key, i dont recommend muscle milk to much fat, i prefer a blended protein powder like bsn syntha 6.

cushions-----rohos' and jays' arent worth shit imo, old outdated technology, and high maintenance. explore your options just because the idiot pt/ot/dme say they are best doesnt mean shit......

[Obieone]

Well, maybe ya better unlock this sweetie.

opps! Sorry Joe!

Back to topic .....

Pressure releases like religion !!

[cavemuscle]

i apply lantiseptic cream to my butt every other night to keep skin from getting dry and at the top of butt crack to avoid shear crack/tears.

high protein diet is key, i dont recommend muscle milk to much fat, i prefer a blended protein powder like bsn syntha 6.

cushions-----rohos' and jays' arent worth shit imo, old outdated technology, and high maintenance. explore your options just because the idiot pt/ot/dme say they are best doesnt mean shit......

Thanks man! it's super dry ( 10% humidity ) here in OKieland right now and i've got for my first chafe of the season dammit, right at the top of the crack.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Brock

[thehipcrip]

Awesome idea, NoDecafPlz! Thanks for getting this going.

For heat rash, I use plain creamy Desitin in the groin area and underneath my breasts.

To prevent dryness on my backside, I use a moisturizing cream called Udderly Smooth (known around our house simply as Moo Cream) after every shower. It protects from chafing, flaking and cracking as well as Bag Balm but without all of the greasiness.

At the first sign of problems on my butt (welts, red spots or other irritation), I cover the area with some Duoderm Extra Thin and leave it on for at least three days -- some need to remain covered for as long as seven days before they resolve themselves. In the ten years I've been in my chair, I've never had a sore spot advance beyond Stage I.

--THC

[goldnucs]

I've been a quad for 30 years and in all that time had very limited skin issues, and I sit ALL day (Roho). My secret recipe for prevention is Bag Balm massaged into by butt every morning. The key to stopping sore is to promote bloodflow for which we also use massage and a TENS unit...4 electrodes around the sore for about 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day until the skin is red and slightly puffed up i.e.: engorged with blood.

[fullsyz]

Hello everyone. New to the forum, 15-years post injury, T12 para. I am laying in bed right now completeing my last day of my 6 week, strict bed rest, recovery from my 2nd major flap surgery. I went 10 years with no issues, then about 5 years ago the pressure sore problems started. It's been then same spot every time, the left butt cheek (Ischium?). Wound VAC's for me have been a waste of time. I spent months on the VAC only to end up going in for surgery anyway. These sores are a real mofo....news flash, right?! Anyway, I'm just looking for any and all options to prevent this from happening again. Like many of you guys, I've spent months and years on end changing dressings at home, going to outpatient wound care, months on end in the hospital (longest stay was 9 months straight) and tons of frustration. You guys talk about greasing up your butts to help prevent breakdown. This is a new one to me. Does it help that much? It's pretty dry in NV, but I had no idea lubing up my rear could help. I have come to the conclusion that it's just part of the deal having a SCI. All I can do is frequent pressure reliefs and inspect my butt every day. I drink Juven too, I had a good wound care nurse swear by the stuff, so I use it. But again, I'm laying in bed as I type this. However, I get to get up for the first time in 6 weeks tomorrow! SWEET. I can't wait to take a shower and crap in a toilet! Aw, the joys of life.

[goat]

I have experienced great relief from pressure sores & sitting discomfort by using an alternating pressure cushion *under* my Stimulite. (about $150 from http://www.flowcushion.com/flow/)
I have NO financial interest in this company.

OK... For all those Purists:
This is NOT a Medical Device. It probably has not been studied on people with paralysis. It may not have been shown to be any more effective in prevention of pressure sores in those with paralysis than placebos. Send flames to /dev/null

A reasonably handy person can tap into the electrical system of most power chairs to install a 12 volt cigarette lighter.

[RollingInParadise]

get a good protein supp. juven isnt enough. high protein helps prevent issues.

i consume over 100 grams aday in protein supps alone then my food. my skin is perfect 21 years now

Hello everyone. New to the forum, 15-years post injury, T12 para. I am laying in bed right now completeing my last day of my 6 week, strict bed rest, recovery from my 2nd major flap surgery. I went 10 years with no issues, then about 5 years ago the pressure sore problems started. It's been then same spot every time, the left butt cheek (Ischium?). Wound VAC's for me have been a waste of time. I spent months on the VAC only to end up going in for surgery anyway. These sores are a real mofo....news flash, right?! Anyway, I'm just looking for any and all options to prevent this from happening again. Like many of you guys, I've spent months and years on end changing dressings at home, going to outpatient wound care, months on end in the hospital (longest stay was 9 months straight) and tons of frustration. You guys talk about greasing up your butts to help prevent breakdown. This is a new one to me. Does it help that much? It's pretty dry in NV, but I had no idea lubing up my rear could help. I have come to the conclusion that it's just part of the deal having a SCI. All I can do is frequent pressure reliefs and inspect my butt every day. I drink Juven too, I had a good wound care nurse swear by the stuff, so I use it. But again, I'm laying in bed as I type this. However, I get to get up for the first time in 6 weeks tomorrow! SWEET. I can't wait to take a shower and crap in a toilet! Aw, the joys of life.

[thehipcrip]

fullsyz, for me, keeping my butt cheeks and thighs well moisturized is essential. Even though I live in the tropics where the humidity is always high, my backside gets very dry very fast.

If I don't use some heavy grade moisturizer, the skin will get dry patches that will start to flake. Inevitably one or more of those flakes will get torn off (by my clothes as I do pressure relief or transfers, or by the sheets when I position myself at night), leaving a tiny open wound -- bad news. Even if the flakes don't cause an open tear, these dry patches will start to pink up, then turn red, very quickly.

In Nevada, the natural lack of humidity, combined with any time spent sitting in damp clothes from sweating due to the heat, would cause my bottom to get dry, flake and even split in no time at all. I'd probably end up applying moisturizer twice a day just to stay ahead of it.

There's a side benefit from applying moisturizer: your rump gets a massage in the process, which helps promote good blood flow to the area.

Hope you finish healing fast and find something that works to keep you from ending up in the really nasty parts of Soreville.

--THC

[fullsyz]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm listening. Question....Anyone have any experience with Ride Designs Cushions?

[iroqbenson]

Anti monkey butt

My wife has problems under breast and folds in pelvis we we're having problems with every moisture we tried Anti Monkey Butt worked wonders thats all we use in the moisture build up places tried gold bond powder seemed to just make cake