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Prevention
Those who are mentally alert and have the ability to help themselves should turn or reposition themselves at least every two hours. If you use a wheelchair, shift your position every fifteen minutes (if you are unable, the caregiver should be responsible to shift your weight).
If an area appears red, keep pressure off of that particular area. Make sure you have, and maintain, a good diet. Keep your skin hydrated through the application of lotion or cream. Soft and flexible skin is less likely to break down. Personal cleanliness, including that of your clothing and bedding, is very beneficial to the wound healing process. Use a mild cleanser to clean your skin when bathing and remove dead skin cells. Do not use hot water, as it can dry your skin. Avoid rubbing alcohol, it too can dry your skin. Avoid cold and low humidity that can cause dryness to your skin. And use creams, moisturizes and lotions to prevent your skin from drying. Moisture on your skin (don't confuse this with the moisture in a wound) can be reduced with proper clothing, bedding, and products that repel water. Keep pressure, shear, and friction (anything that can cause excessive stress to your skin) to a minimum. Keep the sheets to your bed tight and wrinkle free. Don't lie in a bed with food crumbs. And if you have an electric bed, avoid elevating the head of the bed for too long (again, avoid constant pressure to a centralized location on your body).
There are many types of products available to provide you with pressure relief, as well as topical management products and clinical tools and equipment for your skin or wound condition. Talk to your health care provider. In the meantime, you can gain knowledge about certain products by referencing the information in Product Definitions. The information provided here can help you in determining the use of products available to assist you. Use this information in discussions with your health care team.
And remember to exercise. Move parts of your body to help improve circulation. Ask your health-care provider about activities or exercises that you can do to assist in the healing process.
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