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We keep putting bandaids and antibiotic, they get taken off pretty much immediately. What else can I do? Concerned as two spots on her nose are just getting raw.
Is it more than just an obsessive-compulsive action? As long as medical pros - and specifically a dermatologist - has cleared it as being only obsessive picking, what about wrapping up the hands instead of the face? Can you cut the nails extra short and put cotton gloves on?
If the bandaids come off immediately, so might the gloves. You could try it easily enough, though.
There was a frequently picked spot on my father's upper lip/lower nose. It turned out to be a spot of skin cancer. Depending on the age and mental ability of this person who's doing the picking, you want to have them screened to rule that out. :-)
thanks all. I'm pretty sure it is somewhat of an OCD behaviour, previously (before dementia) controlled for the most part. Have thought of the gloves - I won't even get them on, let alone that they will come off. Mom is still fit as a fiddle. Dr. recommended Namenda, need to see what they say now. Also to see if there is any other creams to use to clear it up. There are more spots, on neck, arms, etc., so I don't think it is that something is/was actually there. But picking at the spot all day doesn't give it a chance to heal, and now I'm worried about other infection taking hold.
I used a product earlier today on myself that I'd forgotten about -- it's a nail polish size/type bottle of clear liquid called "skin crack care" or "liquid bandage." You dab it on the spot and it leaves a little bit of goo and seals up the spot. That might be helpful. You could do some repeat dabs throughout the day, 2-3 times a day, and then hopefully all mom is picking off of herself is the coating and not getting into the skin. I don't know that it will work but maybe that's worth a try? If it does work, please report back. :-)
beethere, my mother has the habit of picking at spots on her hand. She has done the same thing on her back in the past. She says she has to go to the dermatologist because she has poison ivy or something that want go away. She'll point at a spot on her hand. Her dermatologist gets pretty put out and says it is self inflicted damage. He gives her a cream (hydrocortisone) and takes the time to inspect for pre-cancerous spots.
My mother has had a hard time with getting old and the things that go with it. When there is dementia, it's hard to get them to stop doing things like picking at a spot. I don't know if it would help your mother to go to a dermatologist and get a cream or something. It helps mine, although I'm sure it is all psychological.
My son has severe autism - he has never worn a band-aid in his life. Well, not where he could get to at any rate! Worse yet, if he does manage to get to a bandaide that I thought was in a safe spot, he'll peel it off and pop it into his mouth, chewing it like gum - eewwee! The only solution I have found is to buy Bactine by the gallon and Costco size packages of cotton balls and I clean the area frequently. Rainman was in the hospital for quite a while - two emergency surgeries, a g-tube up his nose, down the back of his throat and into his tummy. Hubby and I slept in shifts - the other holding his hands down - still he was able to get loose and - ZIP - snatched the g-tube out, spraying green slimmy stuff all over. Finally the doctor gave in a ordered "burn mittens". They look like large, white oven mitts with tiny mesh on the back - they tie at the wrist. In our case they also had straps and as long as one of us was in the room at all times we were allowed to tie his hands down to the bed rails - the mitts alone wouldn't have stopped him from removing the tube. Anyhoo - if your moms sore gets infected, perhaps ask her doctor about burn mittens.
Rainmom ~ I knew there were gloves like that and tried to search for them under some keywords like "protective gloves you can't remove," but didn't come up with anything. I've seen others on here mention using them for people who will pull on things or scratch themselves. I'm glad to learn a term for them.
My mother did this in her last months, as the dementia worsened, and so did her mother and grandmother. It's usually an absentminded sort of thing, and they don't even realize they're doing it, until they notice they're bleeding. With Mom, it was a spot on her arm, or the inside of her nose, because the constant use of O2 dried it out. Seemed I was always coming to see her and finding her fingernails and nose bloodied.
Maybe as a spot is healing, it starts to itch. Then, adding OCD to the mix and its a real problem
Using Benadryl cream may help alleviate the itch, maybe they will forget for a few hours. When you apply it. (for the psychological benefit), make a big deal, sit with the person ten minutes, distract them, focus on something else. Rub their back. Come back and re-apply it in a few hours. Repeat.
This answer is for the simpler cases, and I hope it helps someone.
Rainmom, Hope your son is better now. Don't know what to say to comfort you, but what you shared about your struggles is profound, and has really touched my heart. You must be brave, and stoic. {{{{Hugs}}}}} for you and your family.
Thanks for the tip that it could start itching as it heals, though now barely time to heal. Will try the hydrocortisone, but with an open sore, I think that hurts. Yes, tried the liquid bandage, will try again on the smaller sores, though she will I'm sure pick another spot. Am also looking for small hand held games to keep her distracted. All the answers are helpful
I use OTC hydrocortisone ointment often. It doesn't sting any open skin. There are lidocaine + hydrocortisone cream formulations, but if I were you, Beethere, I'd get the ointment and skip the cream. For better results, ask mom's doc for a 2.5% formula. OTC is 1%. It works as a preventative measure, but I don't know how effective it would be to treat. Best of luck.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
If the bandaids come off immediately, so might the gloves. You could try it easily enough, though.
My mother has had a hard time with getting old and the things that go with it. When there is dementia, it's hard to get them to stop doing things like picking at a spot. I don't know if it would help your mother to go to a dermatologist and get a cream or something. It helps mine, although I'm sure it is all psychological.
Using Benadryl cream may help alleviate the itch, maybe they will forget for a few hours. When you apply it. (for the psychological benefit), make a big deal, sit with the person ten minutes, distract them, focus on something else. Rub their back.
Come back and re-apply it in a few hours. Repeat.
This answer is for the simpler cases, and I hope it helps someone.
Hope your son is better now. Don't know what to say to comfort you, but what you shared about your struggles is profound, and has really touched my heart.
You must be brave, and stoic. {{{{Hugs}}}}} for you and your family.