Follow
Share

My husband is bedridden and incontinent both ways. He has had a rash on his left side, from the bottom of his shoulder blade to his waist and in the creases of his stomach and leg. The rash looks like flat blisters. He is starting to complain about pain from the rash. I have used Calamine lotion, diaper creams from A & D to Pinxav and everything in between. I’ve used cornstarch, and bathe him with Ivory soap and vinegar in the rinse water as suggested by the HHC nurse he had this summer. I change him as often as I can. I’m his sole caregiver, have fibromyalgia and rolling this 300lb. + man over causes me a lot of pain.

Getting him to the doctor is almost impossible. We have a lift, a ramp and a power chair. He becomes anxious and frightened and tires out easily after just a short time in the chair.

I’m at a loss as to how to clear this up!

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Hi Hugemom, I'm just wondering if you got any help from the doctor? How is hubbies rash now?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

If it is yeast.... Many years ago my infant son had a nasty yeast rash. Wouldn't go away despite no diapers and medicated cream from doctor. Then at my sister's suggestion I tried plain yogurt. Just the stuff from the grocery store,
Infection GONE in 24 hours. It was a miracle. One tip: warm it before applying it!
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

When my kids were babes, I used baking soda, mixed with water, it worked very well.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Definitely confirm whether it's yeast or shingles
Mom had severe yeast recently from antibiotics- her skin looked burnt
Don't use corn starch - yeast feeds on it
If yeast then an antifungal cream
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Since thus involves his skin, what has dermatologist said? He, quite likely, will need RX ointment. Have you tried Cetaphil body wash inlieu of soap?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Stop using skin irritants on his skin! Wash with combination of warm water and a couple tablespoons of coconut oil melted in it. Then dry the areas and rub coconut oil on affected areas. You can also mix a little manuka honey in it as well.
Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal. Manuka honey is highly medicinal, natural, and will not irritate. It comes from a relative of tea tree oil.
You can eat coconut oil, obviously, and it feeds brain cells - in fact "wakes them up" and feeds them where there is insulin resistance of the brain (Type 3 diabetes - a type of Alzheimers).
You may need to get a helper in there to help you manage this. 300lb is a lot of weight for you to be pushing around.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Glad they seem to be clearing up. I was using Ivory dish soap and my hands got chapped. My skin itched and dried out when I used the soap. Stopped using both and changed to other soaps.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I had problems like this with my Mom. She is bedridden. I tried lots of thing. Changed soaps, powders. But its hard to tell with out seeing and then I am no doctor.

I healed it and keep it away. Fungus. #1-I put a small cloth type Incontinent Pad with a
cloth diaper on top under her Back, to keep moisture away. The paper ones are good for under the butt, not her back. #2 - I put Desenex foot powder
on her Back and all the folds once a day.
It might be good to put Aloe Vesta protective ointment or any Butt cream in the leg area at bedtime. I like Aloe Vesta Cleansing Foam for bath time. Good luck
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Seewell's answer about bee glue is more valid that I would have expected a few months ago. My Dad is being treated by a Wound Care Doctor and he prescribed Medihoney patches with medical grade honey. It was great.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Hugemom, you might also consider seeing an infectious disease doctor for a swab and analysis if you don't get results from the doctor you're planning to see shortly. I found one to be far more insightful and results oriented than just 2 PCPs who both misdiagnosed a situation.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Visit your local farmers market or neighborhood beekeeper. Get small amount of propolis (lining inside honeybee hive/ bee glue) for free or a reasonable price. Ground it in coffee grinder and infuse it to an oil (for instance, vitamin E oil)/ topical cream of choice. Smear it on the sores/ rashes and let it dry before covering it with large bandages. Leave it for couple of days and then change them.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I immediately thought of shingles. I understand your difficulty getting your husband to a doctor, but can you call anyway? Perhaps home health can help you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

You’ve all given me great suggestions. I started putting a sock over my hand and using that as a washcloth. It works better than just a cloth. I am using Dial soap and vinegar in the rinse water. The “blisters”or whatever they are have disappeared by almost half and he is no longer complaining about pain. He is going to the doctor next week. Thank you all very much!
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Colloidal Silver - I'm using the Gel - only thing that cleared it up on DH. I follow that with a good Barrier Cream.

I use Selan Silver, Peri-Guard, Monkey-Butt - but the Colloidal Silver Gel is the only thing that actually healed - the Barrier Creams cover and protect. I bought everything suggested which is why I have so many barrier creams - it doesn't seem to matter as much which I use as long as I use the Colloidal Silver Gel first.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Try Ihle paste. Has been used forever. Only thing that works in my family (and my mom when she has UTIs, in her 90s), no perfume. Worth it. Good Luck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

The condom cath is a great idea, no matter what the rash is from. With my FOL, we had great success, after a huge learning curve and persistence. We found Hypaflex and Omniflex tape to keep it attached. (He was ambulatory, but it allowed him to get a full night of sleep.) it sticks to the cath and the skin, yet did not cause irritation with the daily cath changes. 
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

It sounds like symptoms of Shingles. If he is diagnosed with Shingles, and does not respond consider Bollous Pemphigoid. After 3 months of unsuccessful treatment, a doctor did a biopsy of one of the lesions for the Pemphigoid diagnoses.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Hugemom; the suspense is making me crazy! What did the doctor/nurse say?
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Use a texas catheter. It's just a condom with a hose coming out.
Helpful Answer (7)
Report

Thanks, everyone. I looked at many photos of shingles and I have to say, thank God, that this is not what his look like. This eruptions are flat and do not contain any fluid, nor are they red or angry looking. I’m convinced it’s just a severe pee rash. I will check with his doctor and somehow we will manage to get him in. I appreciate all your advice!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Oh, gosh, I read this and went "shingles"....the antivirals will not be effective past about 3 days in with the rash---please get someone to look at him. In the meantime, google "images of shingles"---my poor mom has this a few years back and took her a full year to recover. She is bent into a C-shape due to back surgeries and doesn't look at her own body in the mirror--she had this rash for a couple weeks before she asked my brother to look. It was oozy and weeping---and just on one side, which is common.

Just--as hard as it is, either get him to a dr or have a home health nurse in ASAP. Mother was on antivirals, but they did nothing, Pain pills, lidocaine cream of some kind and we wrapped her like a mummy night and day in gauze. Good Luck--don't let another day go by with this!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Ivory is the worst soap to use. It made my Dads rash worse. Sounds like husband may be allergic to something you use. I used Huggie baby wipes. Desitin baby cream. But blisters can become infected so I would check with ur doctor.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Besides getting it diagnosed( if it is shingles) Spray on lidocaine (like for sunburns) helped with the pain.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Yeah sounds like shingles ..the blisters and shingles can form on any dematone ..and where it’s located and your description sounds like shingles ,,have you had chicken pox? You need to have a doc come to the house and get him on antiviral medication also you can get a creme to put on it .its called Zovirax ....it’s contagious so it needs to be diagnosed by a dr to get him comfortable..what does the home health RN say ? I am a RN and can’t diagnose..but it sounds like it to me ,,the poor man must be in agony ,,please keep us posted
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Try this link - dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/dsd/documents/DDP/MedicalDirector/Shingles.pdf
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

It sounds like shingles to me too. Needs antiviral meds.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Oh, I wasn't even thinking of anything like shingles, I sure hope it isn't that Hugemom.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Thank you, Countrymouse. Yours is a good suggestion. I’m going to look up shingles to compare. I may call Home Health from this summer to see if they know of anyone. I like the picture idea too.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Thanks, C. We were provided 3 or 4 different skin creams by his rehab. I’m going to call Home Health to see if we can get some more.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Sounds like shingles to me. If you look it up, you'll see diagrams showing how the rash appears in "bands", and it is painful and miserable. If you can't get him to a doctor (or a doctor to him?) then call his doctor's office and ask if you can email a picture of it. If it is shingles, he'll need treatment.

And don't let anyone near him who hasn't had chickenpox.
Helpful Answer (12)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter