Could I Apply Safgel Ointment For Small Decub Area Near The Sacrum?
Question: MY MOTHER IS IN A NURSING HOME. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, SHE DEVELOPED A CLUSTER OF VESICLE LIKE ERUPTIONS IN THE ANAL AREA AND A STAGE II DECUB ULCER AT THE TOP OF THE MID BUTTOCK AREA WHICH WAS INITIALLY TREATED WITH SAFGEL OINTMENT.
THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM ESSENTIALLY NOT CHANGING HER DIAPER IN A TIMELY MANNER, WHICH I WITNESSED MANY TIMES.
WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE VESCICLE ERUPTIONS HAD DRIED UP, THERE WAS LESS REDNESS IN THE ARE AND THE SMALL DECUB AREA NEAR THE SACRUM WAS STRARTING TO HEAL.
THE FACILITY CALLED IN A WOUND SPECIALIST WHO STOPPED THE SAFGEL STARTED TREATING THE AREAS WITH NYSTATIN OINTMENT AND SANTLYMURIROCIN ONINTMENT.
SIX WEEKS LATER NOW THE VESICLE ERUPTIONS HAVE NOT RETURNED, BUT THE SMALL DECUB AREA
STILL HAS NOT GRANULATED IN.
MOTHER IS NOT A DECUB, AND IS IN A RELATIVELY GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION.
I SUGGESTED GOING BACK TO THE SAFGEL OINTMENT WHICH HAS WORKED IN THE PAST TO AID HEALING.
PLEASE ADVISE
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query,
SAF GEL is a hydrating colloid dressing.
It is a bland preparation and can be used as long as you want without any side effects.
Nystatin is an antibiotic. The doctor might have started it keeping infection in mind.
At present if it is a decub ulcer and if the wound is clean without any pus discharge, SAF GEL would be the best choice.
Let her start applying that.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What about the santyl muprirocin ointment that is currently being applied by the facility? I didn't suspect that this was a fungal skin problem from the start. It looked like a typical diaper rash irritation from dirty diaper skin problem.
Brief Answer:
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Mupirocine is a broad spectrum antibacterial cream.
SAF GEL and antibacterial cream work on different pathogenic processes.
SAF GEL will induce the tissue to heal faster while mupirocine will prevent development of infection.
A combination of both can be used.
Ask her to apply mupirocine in morning and night while SAF GEL in afternoon.
This combination will give her a faster relief.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your advice, will relate to the facility.
Brief Answer:
Details below
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Wishing her a good health.
Thank you
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar