Bed sores is a cause of much pain and discomfort for people who are on constant bed rest. Prolonged bed rest puts pressure on the tissues; this pressure temporarily cuts off the blood supply to the skin, which leads to the injury and death of skin cells. Unless pressure is relieved and normal circulation resumes, the affected skin soon begins to show signs of injury. Whether you are bedridden because of sickness, disability or a mixture of the two, there are numerous natural remedies that can help ease the pain of this condition.

Symptoms: Deep skin ulcers especially found on buttocks, hips, sacrum, shoulder blades, elbows and heels.

Factors that aggravate bed sore: Wetness from perspiration, urine or feces can increase the skin's sensitivity to damage from pressure. For this reason, patients who suffer from incontinence are at particularly high risk for bedsores.

Natural Remedies:

• Apply sugar or honey poultice to the sore and cover it with an airtight dressing. This will probably produce healing within 2 weeks.
• Make a paste out of crushed comfrey leaves and slippery elm, spread on cloth, and tie it over the sore. It can be left on overnight.
• Sponge with fresh cucumber juice.
• Gotu kola extracts can also be used topically to help speed wound healing.
• Apply tea tree oil directly to the bed sores twice daily for 10 days.
• Apply vitamin E oil to the skin area during bed rest. Repeat the application twice daily.
• Rub aloe vera on any areas of the body that are affected by bed sores. Apply as much aloe vera as needed to sufficiently cover the sores. Repeat this process once a day until the bed sores have healed.
• Applications of wheat germ oil and guava leaves tea is also beneficial.

Tips to Prevent Bed Sores:

• Give a well-balanced diet which consists mainly of fiber rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grain, fishes that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fresh vegetable and fruit juice is also beneficial to solving the problem.
• Drink enough liquids, even when not thirsty.
• If the patient can sit up, have him do it 3-4 times a day.
• Turn the patient regularly. Changing the patient's position every two hours when he or she lies in bed and every hour when he or she sits in a chair. Use pillow if necessary to raise the patient's arms, legs, buttocks and hips.
• Massage the skin to stimulate the circulation.
• Avoid moist skin. Keep the skin dry and clean (especially avoid urine on the skin).
• Sponge bathes daily with a mild herbal soap (never with harsh soaps).
• Occasional sunlight to the skin is also beneficial.
• The bed must be kept clean and use protective padding on the bed.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing allows air to penetrate to the skin (cotton is best).

Recommended Supplements: Vitamin A (one-half beta-carotene), B complex, Vitamin C (1,000 mg), Bioflavinoid, and Vitamin E (400 IU). Also copper (4 mg) and zinc (20mg).

Warnings: If bed sores are untreated, they can lead to dangerous infections that can greatly increase other health risks.