Follow
Share

My mom is very sedentary and sits for about 10hrs a day. She has Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneropathy (CIDP). She is a bit overweight. She has a huge abdominal wall hernia (from busted abdominal stitches after a huge surgery and an immediate repair was not possible), a colostomy and she is somewhat incontinent and therefore wears disposable underwear. I got her an egg gel cushion to sit on. This is on a cushy couch not a hard surface or wheelchair seat. She has these circular patches on her butt cheek the best way to describe how they look is like when you have a blister and you pop it or however the top layer of skin is removed what's left is the circle of dark pinkish purple skin with the sort of dry skin ring around it. These areas aren't moist or oozy they seem pretty dry and don't appear very sore looking but they can feel sore to her. There are different sizes some are about 2" diameter and some are smaller. Some are a light colored pinky purple and some are more dark purple. I thought they may be pressure sores (but not ulcers) so have been putting hydrocolloid bandages on them (doctor said that's the right treatment based on the description I gave but she has not seen them herself) However, since these are on her butt cheek and upper thigh it is very difficult to get the bandages to stay on due to being rubbed every time the underwear are pulled up /down and the shear fact of the area being sat on and then scooting motion when getting into bed. The bandage edges roll up even when I put surgical tape on to hold them down. It's a mess and frustrating and I'm trying to find a solution if one exists. I'm also not 100% sure what the spots are or if I'm treating them correctly. If anyone has seen skin irritations like what I've described please respond so we can discuss.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
This site is not really the best place for advice on unusual symptoms for someone with serious health issues. You say “doctor said that's the right treatment based on the description I gave but she has not seen them herself”. If the doctor is the local GP, and this isn't common, she may not be the best source of advice either. It sounds like this could develop into major pressure sores. How about a trip to ER? Or a referral to a skin specialist? Or just finding a doctor who visits?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

My first thought when I read your post was that perhaps your mom has petechiae, which are tiny red, purple flat spots that appear on your skin. They're caused by bleeding, and can appear as clusters.
There are many things that can cause petechiae, so you may want to "Google" to see if anything may apply to your mom.
My husband who developed sepsis and septic shock after almost dying from aspiration pneumonia, developed petechiae all over his legs and eventually his hands as well. I didn't have to do anything to "treat" it for him as he was under hospice care and it never bothered him.
I hope you get a proper diagnosis soon, so she can be treated accordingly.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Although it is most likely pressure sores, my experience is purple "bruises" can also indicate a broken bone, even a simple fracture that only causes pain when someone moves in a particular way or attempts to put weight on a limb. I strongly recommend getting a medical professional to have a look to confirm the diagnosis.

As for bandaging, depending on exactly where the wounds are located, you may have more luck with large gauge pads that you use her underwear to hold in place instead of tape.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Bumping again.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Here is a great primer. From what you describe it certainly sounds like early stage of bed sore. Get her seen asap.

https://facingdisability.com/preventing-bedsores-and-pressure-ulcers/signs-and-symptoms-of-bedsores-stage-by-stage?https://facingdisability.com&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2OHfkPyK8wIVz2tvBB2_9Qt1EAAYASAAEgKBLfD_BwE
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

If they are pressure sores then what you can see is the least of it, the damage is all below the surface and can be very deep before the skin breaks open, that's why people say they go from 0 - OMG in the blink of an eye. Even if they are not pressure spots I don't think covering the skin with bandages is the answer (in fact your doctor's advice seem kind of strange to me), someone knowledgeable needs to see them and perhaps they need to be cultured.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Bumping for more answers.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Is there a reason she can't be seen by a doctor, visiting nurse or other medical professional?

I don't have a lot of experience in this area, but they sure sound like bedsores. Which can get dangerous very quickly.

The fact that there are several would seem to indicate that her seatng is inappropriate. The pressure needs to be gotten off her butt and thighs. A recliner might be better, and a specialized cushion like a Roho or similar might be advised, but I think above all you need to get a would care specialist involved.

Using surgical tape on her fragile skin seems like a bad idea. Please get her seen asap.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

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