Prevention of Bed Sores using Medical Sheepskins  

HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins prevent bed sores. Clinical trials( see Research) have clearly established their effectiveness.  The Urine Resistance (UR) of these sheepskins makes them suitable for incontinent clients and effectively protects the skin of people confined to bed or wheelchair. 

Bed Sores ( Pressure Sores or decubitus ulcers) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. They develop when you lie or sit in the same position for a long time; without relieving the pressure on the underlying blood vessels. Body pressure prevents blood from getting to the skin, resulting in skin death and bed sores.

 Bed sores also result from skin tears that develop when the skin moves one way and the underlying bone moves another. Moist skin is more liable to tear.  Friction injuries ( eg. skin rubbing against a sheet) may also cause bed sores. 

To summarize, there are 3 main causes of Bed Sores:

1. Pressure that restricts blood circulation in the skin

2. Tearing (Shearing) forces and  friction

3. Moisture or humidity buildup at the skin level

To see pictures and descriptions of the early stages of  bed sore development, click on  Bed Sore Pictures.

Preventing bed sores is much easier than healing them.  Prevent  bed sores using  HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins. These Sheepskins  will reduce or eliminate the above causes of bed sores. Get  protection against the development of ugly, painful and debilitating bed sores. 

Beware! Not all sheepskins are equal.  Our premium quality Medical Sheepskins are HiTemp washable and Urine Resistant, making them the only choice for incontinent patients. Many sheepskins are not tanned to enable washing without damaging the leather. Some medical sheepskins are chrome tanned; making them washable in water up to 40^o C.these are called Lowtemp. Our HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins can be washed in water up to 80^oC, providing thermal disinfection. HiTemp Urine Resistant Medical Sheepskins are products of  the latest Australian tanning technology and have properties that exceed all other sheepskins. 

What is so good about them?

1. HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins can be disinfected by washing: 

• Thermal disinfection is achieved by  washing at 80^o C.

• Chemical disinfection is also possible if you wash with Woolskin.  Woolskin contains an antibacterial which remains in the skin after washing; giving continued antibacterial action. Disinfection  is very important if a sheepskin is to be used in an institution.

2.  HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins are guaranteed for 50 wash/dry cycles when laundered with Woolskin to the Australian Standard (AS 4480.1).   Woolskin will leave  a residual antibacterial in the wool fibre, giving protection against the development of unpleasant odours.  A Free sample of Woolskin is included with each purchase.

3. HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins are Urine Resistant (UR). Only UR Medical Sheepskins will not breakdown in the presence of urine; making them the only choice for those without bladder control.

4. Our HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins exceed the Australian Standard ( AS 4480.1).

No other sheepskins have these properties!

Medical Sheepskins prevent the development of bed sores by:

• reducing pressure on body parts in contact with the sheepskin

•  keeping the skin dry.....wool fibres will absorb up to 34% of their dry weight in moisture without feeling wet. The  moisture is wicked away from the source,  alleviating the discomfort of perspiration experienced by immobile patients. Wicking of moisture away from the skin will keep it dry and more stable.

• reducing tearing forces on the skin when the patient moves.

To purchase HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins, click Catalogue