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Those are great things to do!
I have not been entirely sold on commercial products Like Johnson's stuff, so far though, as most are chemically based [for instance, our kids always got burned eyes from the "no tears" baby shampoos..].
Chemicals in body products penetrate skin, and do unfortunate things.
Also, I work with some folks who know how chemically sensitive they are, and recognize how sensitive many are, who do not know it.
MSM is a basic, supplemental sulfur [scientific name is : "Methylsulfonylmethane"].
NOTE: -NOT- "sulfa", the drug numerous people are allergic to;
MSM is fundamental sulfur, like found in cancer-preventing foods
--very different substances!!
Sulfur is a major, basic building block the body uses to build and repair healthy tissues all over the body--ranks right up there with protein.
It is diminished by heat and light, so don't cook it.
People can buy and take the crystalline powder of it in food, or in tablets and capsules.
Or make MSM water [2 to 3 tsp. powder per pint of purified water, allow to dissolve] and spray it on scalp and skin--this is most economical, but does not have any "smoothing agent" as lotion does
--though if one adds about 1 tsp. veggie glycerine, it is still non-toxic, sprays easily, and smooths without being oily [if it gets in the mouth, no worries--tastes sweet].
The flavor of MSM is very bitter, but there should never be any smell to it.
One of the first things many notice, who choose to take this by mouth, is that their hair and nails grow stronger. Using that home-mixed spray on skin, helps the comfort of skin, and helps reduce itching fast, and over time, helps keep skin in healthier condition.
But, I get MSM -Lotion- for skin use, from the Rich Distributing Company
[I think they are in Oregon], online.
It is reasonable enough for what we need it for, non-toxic, and available in a number of sizes [quantities].
It comes in unscented [recommended], light apricot, and full-scent apricot--all natural.
The light scent is nice, not overpowering, and kinda goes away soon.
The fully scented one was too much for our house.
Many people no longer tolerate scented stuff, so usually I suggest the UNscented for fragile folks.
It dissolves into the skin very nicely, no oily residue, and can be used to help wipe away stinky residue on the skin.
It has really helped stop itchy, dry skin problems, and over time, helps prevent skin break-downs.
Usually, first use water rags and wipes to remove gross gunk, then use the lotion to do final cleans on delicate skin, by putting some MSM lotion onto a soft rag or soft paper towel and gently wiping skin with that.
It worked really well instead of soap, when a person no longer tolerates soap for some reason.
For washing the "nether-regions", I got Aloe-based, non-scented, non-chemical, baby wipes for the bottom, particularly for women's tender mucosa, from our local Co-Op grocers--some health food stores also may carry or get these for customers.
I learned long ago that most chemicals, and most perfumes used in body products, can STING women's mucosa, so just avoid anything with that stuff in them....commercial products have not yet caught on to that, for the most part.
The problems with other chemicals in body products is a whole 'nuther dissertation most never want to think about, much less hear!
Chimonger, what is MSM in soap? I use Johnsons bath with the lotion in it, no bedsores yet, hopefully never. I also put her on dermasaver pads to prevent them on her chairs.
But now I am faced with my wife having Alzheimer's and here is a woman 62 years old who used to be a good swimmer and now doesn't want anything to do with water....not on her face or anywhere. she constantly complains of being cold in even hot water. I usually give her a sit down bath in the tub every Sunday evening. She wears Depends and I constantly change them. She isn't incontenent but doesn't wipe herself....and I am careful to keep her clean. I have thought of getting some moist wipes from the Drug Store in an effort to keep her clean. I think we can work with this situation if we are keeping our nose to smell body order. When that occurs it's time to wash with soap.
I could not bring myself to bath my Mother, and I even find it difficult to bath my wife......but I do it....like a dutiful caregiver. I have just assumed that all AD patients don't like being bathed.
If something says it is gentle, it can be tried, but still watch out to make sure it is not drying the skin too much, or causing itching.
I have a really nice lotion that has MSM in it, and low or no scent.
It has been used for elders with very dry, tender skin, with great results, instead of soap...just put some on the washrag, and do a portion of the person at a time, wipe off excess.
The lotion process removes gunk, while leaving traces on skin that helps heal the skin and stop itching.
I have used warm, damp towels for doing a bedbath, and by removing only part of the cloths at a time...it takes longer, but did allow a calmer elder.
I think the problem is not only bathing, but removing clothes
--they have lost control of so much, that even allowing removing the clothes can really set some off.
There are some messes, though, that require taking everything off all at once, unavoidable. That usually takes more than one person to deal with.
We're all getting old some day, good luck.