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My husband has Parkinson’s with dementia. Has several pressure/ulcer wounds on the side of his left foot. I’ve tried to heal them with different medications, but to no avail. What should I do to heal these open wounds that I know are painful?

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How many wounds does your husband have on his foot?
What treatments did your husband's doctor prescribe for the pressure/ulcer wounds on his foot? If your husband has not seen a doctor about these wounds, then he needs to see his doctor ASAP. Ask the doctor if a Wound Care Nurse can be prescribed to visit your husband at home and to assist with the care of these wounds.
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Cottie1 Oct 2020
Thanks so much for your reply.
He has 2 wounds. One middle side of foot and 1 on his ankle.
when I first noticed them about 5/6 weeks ago, thought his tennis shoes had caused them. Started cleaning with peroxide and using Neosporin. Also soaked foot in Epson salt. Now hospice nurse is using Skintegrity wound cleaner and Iodine swabsticks. He’s also taking cefuroxime axetil antibiotics per primary dr. Going to ask his GP if he can get a wound nurse to come in. It’s difficult getting him to a dr. Thanks for your kind reply. Cottie1
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Does he have diabetes? I agree with Dee. These type of sores need to be looked at by a woundcare nurse. I would not try to heal them on my own. Gangrene can set in.
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Hyperbaric wound care is effective in healing diabetic or vascular ulcers. His wound care specialist can order this care if there is a center that offers this treatment in your area.
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Have you informed his doctor about the wounds? If not he/she should be informed. Often "specialized" Wound Nurses are needed to help with the care of pressure sores.
Are his shoes the root of the problem? Or is how he sits and rests his legs?
Elevating the legs so the area does not rest on anything will help prevent more.
Is your husband on Hospice? (you can call and see if he would be eligible) Hospice does send out wound care nurses if that is necessary but many cases the weekly nurse and CNA will be able to help along with your care.
Make sure his socks are not tight.
When he sleeps make sure that the leg is elevated to take pressure off the side. If he is a side sleeper make sure that the other leg is not resting on the leg under it so there is less pressure. A pillow or wedge between the legs can help as well as bending the other leg (looks like a laying down running position if that makes sense)
OOPS saw your reply to DeeAnna and he is on Hospice so I would push for them to send a Wound Nurse out since it has been over a month.
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Cottie1 Oct 2020
Thanks so much for your reply. I’m overwhelmed at the concerns of others. This site has been a blessing.
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I am glad to hear that you have a nurse treating the wounds and that you are going to ask for a wound care nurse to see your husband.

You mentioned that a hospice nurse is caring for your husband. How long has your husband been in hospice and what health conditions does he have that required him to go into hospice care? It is possible that his medical conditions are such that his wounds will never heal.
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Cottie1 Oct 2020
A little medical history. He had owned a video production business for many years. He worked with all kinds of electronic equipment. Several months before June 30, 2019, he began to fall and could not remember how to use the video equipment. I was trying to take care of him myself. His Dr. called in Home Health and they were actually evaluating him at the time his heart gave him problems. Call 911 to take to ER. That night June 30, 2019, Dr. put in pacemaker. From that time on he’s had confusion and short term memory loss. Neurologist diagnosed him with Lewis Body Parkinson’s Dementia. His primary dr called in hospice 3 months ago because I had no help. (I’m 86 & he’s 90, married 70 years). Although he’s in a wheelchair, his physical health is good for his age. So feel that his wound can be healed. Sorry for the long post.
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CONGRATULATIONS on 70 years of marriage!!!💖💖

Since your husband does not have any diabetes or circulation problems other than the pacemaker, there is a good chance that his wounds will heal. Please let us know when the wound care nurse sees your husband.

PS: Your post was NOT long at all.
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Wound care nurse is your best option. Follow her directions for wound care. He will need extra protein, vitamins and plenty of water to provide the building blocks for wound healing. If he wasn't a smoker, then oxygenation should not a a big problem. When his wounds are healed, please see a specialist for shoes to help prevent future foot problems.
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My wife came home from SNF August 4th 2020 with a stage 2 bed sore(Pressure ulcer) right at the end of her tailbone. The open spot was a little larger than a US quarter. It is now completely closed but now we are fighting a fungus with Nystatin.

In order to get to the point we are now at, I used Medhoney daily with every bandage change. It was difficult due to the fact she is in briefs (adult diapers) and doesn't know when she has had a BM. The briefs and the bandage create a perfect storm (causes feces to be pushed into the wound area) to make healing any wound a long process.

The most important thing was rotating the pressure on her buttocks whether in bed or wheelchair as often as possible with pillow placement.
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Mjlarkan Oct 2020
My mother’s wound care doctor had us get an air mattress topper. He said it would make a big difference relieving pressure.
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Dad frequently gets leg and foot ulcers and we've had to rely on home health and on some occasions, wound care specialists. Those are definitely not something you want to let get out of control (which dad's have at times). With Medicare and his Advantage plan, the cost for treatment has been minimal for wound care specialists.
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Ask his primary care doctor to order home health for wound care. It should be covered under his insurance.
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Shane1124 Oct 2020
First he would need to see a woundcare doctor at a Woundcare center for an assessment so the proper woundcare supplies are ordered. Then home health may come in if it’s a complex wound. If the family can be taught to do woundcare - (which is part of the HC nurse’s job to teach the family as usually dressings are changed daily “) then HC might visit once per week to measure the wound and assess healing.
Venous stasis ulcers a take a lot of time to heal.
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Cottie, you’ve received excellent advise here. I want to implore you to get him to doctor (even though it’s difficult.) These pressure points can turn into dangerous wounds quickly.
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I worked in LTC for almost 20 years as a Nurse Practitioner. I took care of a lot of residents with wounds, some pressure ulcers, some venous ulcers, and some arterial ulcers. The first thing that needs to be determined is what is causing the ulceration of the skin. If it is pressure, relief of the pressure is required, along with proper dressings, of which there are many. Venous ulcers can use a lot of the same dressings for treatment, but may also require additional types of treatment. Arterial ulcers also have different treatment. To get to my point, the first step is to have a specialist determine if the ulcers are pressure, venous, or arterial or a combination. Treatment will be determined from there. As others have told you, HHAs and Hospice frequently have RNs who are wound specialists. Best wishes and blessings on you and your husband of 70 years.
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Mjlarkan Oct 2020
Margaret, thank you for bringing your expertise to this site.
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My Dad had a pressure wound on his heel. Among other things, we got an alternating pressure mattress and it was a huge help.
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Its called krack cream it's the best , try meijer store,s or on the computer.good luck.
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Thanks to all of you for the great information about how to treat my husbands pressure wounds on his foot. Got him to the Wound Care Clinic the next day after my post. Thank goodness he said there was no infection. He cleaned the wounds, put on medicated pads then wrapped in gauze. We change bandages every day. Gave him ultra-soft fiber filled heel cushion to wear at night. Told us to buy an eggcrate mattress pad for our bed. I feel like now, we’ re on the right track to getting his wounds healed. I can’t tell each of you how much your caring has meant to me. At times you feel so alone fighting this unknown disease.
Any suggestions on what the best eggcrate mattress pad to buy.
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bectwin1 Oct 2020
Wonderful news! Wound care and tissue viability specialists are invaluable with these problems.
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Imho, see a specialist who will know how to treat the wounds.

I just saw your update. That is good.
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my mother developed a small pressure sore up wear underwear rub at the top.  when the doctor checked, she said to use zinc oxide a couple times a day.  My mother will wear "adult brief" if going somewear but her normal panties at home.  She said the adult brief rubs the sore back open.  I think its just how she "moves" off her chair.  But either way as long as she keeps the zinc oxide on it, it heals up.  You should take him to the doctor and see what they prescribe or offer as a solution.  You do not want these to get past stage 2 or they will be very hard to get cleared up.  Wishing you luck.
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danabear Oct 2020
I have your answer!!!! First Sams has the softest underwear I’ve found. Next I buy rolls of this super soft thin plastic they use to cover IVs and tattoos. I cut it in strips and put in inside my dads underwear where they rub sores. It’s called Opsite Flexifit. 4”x10 yards. Amazon. Then I put on his butt twice a day an awesome gel that keeps his skin soft and lubricated. It’s called Hollister Hydrogel. Also Amazon. A little goes a long way. It has healed every pressure sore my dad has gotten. Even some bad ones from the nursing home (one reason I pulled him out and brought him home). I put a small amount on the are that’s prone to sores, twice a day. Has kept him sore free!!! I also have him sitting on a purple cushion in his chair. So for 5 years he’s had ZERO pressures sores doing all this. He was semi mobile until 6 weeks ago. Now that he’s in bed for awhile, I’ve done the same things but using a pressure relief mattress. NO SORES!!! Works great.
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I am guessing but I am thinking has some form of peripheral artery disease. If he has a wound that is not healing, this could be the reason. I have that an had to have my legs 'wrapped' for eight weeks until the swelling in my legs/feet went own. Then I had to wear special high compression knee high socks 24/7 and even wrap my legs in a velcro garment. I had to go to a special wound doctor who applied a special dressing to draw the fluid out of the wound and it eventually healed. Naturally someone will have to do this for him as he won't be able to do that - but it is for lifetime. Sorry but that is the reality.
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Riley2166 Oct 2020
The first time this happened, I had to have weekly treatments for five months before the wound healed. The second one took three months but it can be healed with professional help.
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My Mom got these from a walking cast that was too tight. Open air and keeping weight off the wounds while they heal is first. I used colloidal silver to spray the wounds first, then applied ASAP 365 Silver gel to the wounds and covered lightly with clean sterile gauze.
You can get it at SilverSolutionUSA.Com. It’s great stuff and really works.
Depending on the depth of these wounds, lavender essential oils with a carrier or simply straight is one fantastic healer.
I recently caught my heel in the door and had a gash that really needed stitches, but don’t do doctors. I cleaned the wound with the colloidal silver spray and then used the gel on a huge bandaid, once closed I continued with the lavender oil and am as good as new.
Hope this helps and wish your loved one Godspeed in their recovery.
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My husband is bed bound. He has a pair of lambs wool half booties that he wears day and night with socks. His PT gave them to him over two years ago because the patient she ordered them for didn’t like them. He has escaped foot pressure sores and does not even get boggy tissue on his heels. I managed to keep him sore free for two years although his skin would get pink on his back at times. He finally developed one on his coccyx while in the hospital. I didn’t know how to deal with it and it got worse. Now he has a wound nurse seeing him 2x/week. It’s improving.
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