More Tips

SKIN MANAGEMENT IN SPINAL CORD INJURY: PREVENTION OF SKIN SORES: MORE TIPS

More Tips to Prevent Skin Sores:

Make sure your wheelchair foot pedals are adjusted to the right height.
Use a prescribed cushion on wheelchair seat.
Sit up straight in wheelchair (slumping or slouching leads quickly to early skin breakdown over tailbone).
Check feet carefully when wearing new shoes - shoes should not be too tight or too large.
Apply support hose and Ace wrap evenly so that they don't wrinkle and cause extra pressure.
Keep skin clean and dry - urine allowed to stay on the skin can lead to problems.
Use a firm (not hard) mattress, which provides support for your body. Foam mattress over regular mattress helps to spread weight a little more evenly.
Lie prone to keep hips stretched out. Also, this position spreads pressure more evenly and there is less chance to get sores.
Do your wheelchair push-ups or weight shifts every 15 minutes.
Stick to your turning schedule.
Use lubricating cream if you have dry skin.
Remember: even tiny shifts of position help somewhat.

Use a rubber air ring or any kind of doughnut - they create a lot of pressure where you don't want it, and block the flow of blood to skin inside the ring.
Wear sanitary belts - they can lead to pressure sores.
Wear clothing with heavy seams, nylon underwear or tight clothing.
Put articles in pants pockets or on seat of wheelchair.
Use alcohol on dry skin.
Sit in bed with the head raised for long periods - this causes skin to be squeezed over the lower end of the spine and can lead to sores.