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Self Care
Reviewed: December 2006
Pressure Sores
- Keep skin dry and clean.
- Check skin daily for pressure sores and other skin irritations.
- Try to turn a bedridden person every few hours (or as often as possible), alternating positions.
- Encourage yourself to get out of bed as much as possible.
- Prevent yourself from lying or sitting in wet clothes or bedding.
- Make sure the bedding is not wrinkled or irritating your skin.
- Promote a balanced nutritious diet, high in protein (fish, poultry, dairy products).
- Do not open or break blisters.
- Put dry, clean gauze on any open areas.
Ulcers
- Keep skin area clean and observe for signs of infection (pain, redness, drainage that looks like pus). Follow treatment instructions from the doctor, which may include wet dressings and topical antibiotics to control infection in open ulcers.
Edema
- Keep feet elevated when lying in bed or sitting
- Take medication, and restrict fluids or salt intake, as prescribed by the doctor
Itching/Rash
- Bathing with cool water may help
- Add baking soda to bath water
- Apply a cool, moist cloth to itchy areas
- Wash sheets and towels in a mild laundry soap and change daily
- Avoid harsh laundry detergents
- Apply medications prescribed by the doctor for skin irritations
Dryness
- Add mineral or baby oil to warm bath water
- Apply moisturizers
- Make sure that you drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
- Do not scrub your skin while bathing, and always pat the skin dry gently.
The BC Cancer Agency maintains a database on commonly used unconventional therapies available to cancer patients.
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