#189050 - 07/13/10 12:23 PM
skin breakdown frustration
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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Hi. I've had a C4-5 spinal cord injury for 18 years. I have been suffering with recurring skin breakdown for 6 months. I purchased an alternating seat cushion from the Aqulia Corporation. Has anyone else tried this cushion or any other alternating cushion? Had it pressure mapped and it mapped out fine. But still this same area breaks down. I've seen the wound nurse and no one seems to know what to do. The wound nurse said the sore isn't in a place that should cause pressure. It's in the crease of my leg, like where underwear elastic touches. So, the skin can split easier. I stay in bed till it heals but it returns within several weeks of resuming minimal sitting. I don't know what to do next. I need to be able to get up again. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Kathy
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#189053 - 07/13/10 01:16 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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I'm sure, at this point, you have ditched underwear, or any pants that might be bunching up in that area? Beyond that, I am more inclined to think it is a fungal infection that has taken up residence in the spot.
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189056 - 07/13/10 01:29 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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Clothing has been an issue. Seems like no matter what you wear they creep up either as the day goes on or spasms. We try to pull them out away from my skin after i'm adjusted in the wheelchair. The only thing I haven't tried is wearing dresses/skirts. I thought about a fungal infection. Though you'd think the nurse would have noticed something. Can fungal infections cause skin to split/crack?
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#189061 - 07/13/10 02:01 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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YosemiteSam
Member
Registered: 05/20/00
Posts: 5386
Loc: No. Calif. (SF Bay Area)
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<snip> Can fungal infections cause skin to split/crack? <snip>
If you get the answer to that question, Kathy, please post it on this thread. I get the feeling, during range of motion exercises, that my skin is about to split open in my crotch area. I realize we have different architecture, but "parts is parts'.
_________________________
 Bob
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#189066 - 07/13/10 02:46 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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Can fungal infections cause skin to split/crack?
Yes. I am surprised that the wound nurse hasn't been more aggressive in figuring it out BECAUSE is can become as hideous as a pressure sore if it continues. You could have your doctor take some scrapings to see exactly what it is, but maybe try some antifungal cream to see if it helps...it wouldn't hurt.
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189068 - 07/13/10 03:40 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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Can the antifungal cream be put on open skin? It's not deep but it's exposed. Didn't know if it would burn.
A fungal infection would hopefully be easier to manage then a pressure sore. Thanks for the input. I will share any answers the dr. gives me.
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#189069 - 07/13/10 04:00 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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You shouldn't have a problem using it on open skin. Yes, please do share what the doctor has to say and how he treats it.
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189116 - 07/14/10 12:20 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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lazer
Member
Registered: 03/16/02
Posts: 7672
Loc: a world of my own...
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try getting a 3=-4 inch foam cushion, cut a hole in it where sore is
when u sit, should be no pressure
good luck
_________________________
====
Memo: Don't get p*ssed at my OPINION, cuz thats all it is, my OPINION.........
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#189142 - 07/14/10 02:07 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: lazer]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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i was ordered 23 years ago... NO UNDERWEAR. I'M ALSO C4-5 no problems 22 plus yrs
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#189356 - 07/16/10 01:09 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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Well, i'm extremely frustrated with the outcome of my appointment. It was difficult enough to get her to agree to look at the sore. I brought up the fungal issue and she prescribed nystanin but didn't take any cultures. She didn't even confirm or deny the exsistance of an infection. As far as the sore, just stay off it. I'm still left not knowing what's causing it.
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#189358 - 07/16/10 01:25 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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sorry to hear that. have gained/lost weight? TRY SKIPPing THE UNDERWEAR. the less friction the better
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#189362 - 07/16/10 01:31 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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Did you buy the Aqulia cushion because of this irritation?
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189363 - 07/16/10 01:32 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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I agree with Johnboy, ditch the underwear and try wearing a lightweight skirt around home.
Edited by flicka (07/16/10 01:33 PM)
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189377 - 07/16/10 02:55 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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the underwear has been ditched. i have lost some weight over the course of the year. my new attendant isn't the best cook. i bought the aqulia cushion because i had an alternating cushion that broke. it was from pegusas airwave. i'd had it almost 10 years with no skin breakdown. unfortunately, pegusas went out of business. i saw aqulia advertised in new mobility.
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#189379 - 07/16/10 02:59 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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kwig - this website has images for different types of fungal infections. It's a bit gross, but you may see something that is similar to your problem. It discusses treatments also.
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189426 - 07/16/10 10:44 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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flicka
Member
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
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i bought the aqulia cushion because i had an alternating cushion that broke.
How long after starting to use the cushion did the irritated area appear?
_________________________
"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
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#189428 - 07/17/10 10:30 AM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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flick's right about the fungi. the sore in my left crease just closed after 3days of neosporin (jb's idea--thanks!) now the site is a dry, dark spot.
_________________________
 67.87.81.12
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#189709 - 07/20/10 07:49 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: soda]
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kwig5
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/10
Posts: 6
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pretty shortly after getting the cushion i started having irritation. but only recently has the skin been opening. it's always superficial for the most part. being stuck in bed till it heals and then having it return quickly is frustrating. i don't know if those alternating cushions cause more heat. the sore is always in that crease area. i thought it might be getting pinched by the space in between the alternating cells. i'm going to try putting foam in those spaces. there must be a way to keep that sore from reoccurring. being in the crease is difficult because just bending the leg or sitting puts tension on the skin.
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#189754 - 07/21/10 07:05 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: soda]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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flick's right about the fungi. the sore in my left crease just closed after 3days of neosporin (jb's idea--thanks!) now the site is a dry, dark spot.
the dark spot will fade with some time. glad it worked for you too. my skin was getting raw i hadd about 4 female nurses give me advice none worked. rod, my male rn, took one lok at it and said the new neosporin for jock itch, wrote down ingredient to make sure i got right stuff, worked great. as soon as i start with redness a dab i lil on.
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#190331 - 07/29/10 01:56 AM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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Paul I
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 7913
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I do not wish to be gloom and doom but I had a superficial sore that would not heal. It turned out there was void under the skin
as big as a flattened tennis ball with infection. My personal opinion is that this should at least be examined by a wound care specialist and perhaps an mri or wbc scan taken to eliminate the worst case scenario. It may be an over reaction but in my case I had under reacted for some time. Probably, considering its location it is not critical but I would let someone else make that decision.
_________________________
"...only the shadow knows"
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#193449 - 10/01/10 03:21 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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lindac
Junior Member
Registered: 10/01/10
Posts: 9
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hello my son had the same problem in the exact area after 8 months and surgury and a wound vac he is healed 2 months I coat the area 2x a day with aquaphor and he back in his chair 12 hours a day he also uses the J-2 gel seat cushion it is 4 inches thick
Good luck
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#198694 - 05/03/11 02:14 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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Cathy Blehm
Junior Member
Registered: 05/03/11
Posts: 1
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My husband is experiencing the same type of skin breakdown. He is currently in a rehab center recovering from pneumonia and a different wound. He has just developed a new wound in the same area as you are describing and I think we have tracked it down to the way his sling that is used to move him from his bed to his chair. Some CNAs are less focused as others and if they do not position the sling just right, it makes like a "shearing" wound. Its not the same as other bed wounds we have had in the past but certainly can develop into a deeper wound if not addressed right away. Just my two cents worth.
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#200531 - 09/25/11 03:41 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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Gimp420L
Junior Member
Registered: 09/25/11
Posts: 1
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I have an aquilla, and have been using the cushion for quite some time. The cushion is most likely not the problem. Maybe try putting a little anti-fungal powder in between the fat rolls. That's what I call them. I have to testify for the cushion, because without it. I would not be up in the wheelchair, right now! Hopefully this can help. Drinking water, staying hydrated helps out as well. 1 gallon a day, every 24 hours. Every time I go in the hospital. Everyone always says, how good my skin looks. I definitely have had what you have.I am also a C 4/5 .
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#202429 - 06/18/12 10:12 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: flicka]
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Susan341
Junior Member
Registered: 06/18/12
Posts: 8
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This may help you :take one capsule of the herb, Golden Seal, open it and put it into a small bowl, then take a gel capsule of Vitamin E, poke it with a straight pin, squeeze it, and put it in with the Golden Seal, and mix the two together. Then cover the sore. Now you want to alternate this with Aloe Vera Gel. I got Cellulitis many years ago and could not get the sore to stay healed, it kept on opening. But this remedy healed it and strengthened the skin somehow. I will also give you my cure for pressure sores. One that I have found that has saved my Butt (literally) on more then one occasion. It is an Amish cure, and believe it or not it is Preparation H, but you want to use the ointment not the cream. Because they have changed the ingredients in the cream, (use the one with fish oil in it) this is good for a pressure sore that is not already opened. You will be amazed at the results when you use the stuff!! I have no idea if it would heal an open pressure sore or not, because I have never tried it. But I would just try the mixture above for an open sore. Good luck hope it helps!
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#203331 - 01/03/13 10:11 PM
Re: skin breakdown frustration
[Re: kwig5]
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kysilver77
Junior Member
Registered: 10/16/09
Posts: 23
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hey guys its called jock itch. Were you pants pull up in the crotch, and if you are sitting a lot, moisture gets in the crease where you leg and scrotem meet get tenactin at the drug store. Use this until it starts to heal. Then get some powder and try to keep it dry, Gold Star powder is good, I hope this helps, I have used it several times, and it works for me, hope it works for you. have a good day
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