Hospital Skin 😳

 

When I was first hospitalized back in May 2023, my skin was in really good condition. I had a daily moisturizing routine and used an exfoliating cream for tough, dry patches. Because of my hair and skin, it’s important for me to stay moisturized and hydrated. Dry skin can go from being just unattractive to downright scary and gross!

I was completely bedbound from May until August 2023. During that time, I received bed baths from the staff. They would come in the morning, and depending on who was on duty, they’d wash the ‘hotspots’ with a little soap and water, dry me off, apply deodorant, and put on a fresh gown. Some nurses and aides would go the extra mile and apply lotion, but most didn’t.

I had no idea my skin was breaking down because, at first, I couldn’t maneuver enough to see past my knees. They kept socks on me, so I didn’t know what was happening underneath. I was also in a state of delirium for most of that time, so I wasn’t fully aware of what was going on with my body. It wasn’t until my head started to clear that I became concerned about the condition of my skin.

There were times in the past when I hadn’t used lotion and was a little ashy, but the dry skin I developed while being bedbound was on another level. My sister jokingly called me “Ashy Larry”! At first, I got an attitude, but all I could do was laugh because it was true. My skin got so bad that I was flaking off skin everywhere I went.

It was embarrassing. Even though I was in a hospital where they’ve seen all kinds of things, I wasn’t used to it. I asked my family to bring me a big jar of Vaseline, and I started slathering it on my face, hands, arms, and legs up to where I could reach. It helped control some of the dryness for a while. Reactions to my Vaseline regimen varied—Black folks understood without needing an explanation, while others seemed confused about why I was using so much. That changed once my skin started clearing up. Then they’d ask, “Wow, what do you use on your skin?”

I thought I was making real progress. The day I could reach my feet and apply Vaseline to my heels and between my toes was a banner day. It might sound a little goofy, but that milestone was a goal I had set for myself. I had to work every day on my flexibility, doing stretches to reach the bottom of my feet. Some days were frustrating and exhausting just from moisturizing, but all that effort paid off.

Then, about two months later, I developed a skin condition that made the skin on my arms and legs look like wet fish scales. I also developed dandruff and a fungal infection under my breasts, armpits, and behind my ears. My skin wasn’t done healing. I tried various lotions, but nothing seemed strong enough to clear the scales. One of the nurses brought me a lotion with silicone, which helped keep the scales from flaking everywhere, but it didn’t resolve the condition. So, I went back to my tried-and-true remedy: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.

Palmer’s is fantastic for your skin, but it’s a solid lotion, so you have to work it out of the jar, melt it in your hands, and then rub it onto your skin. It was a lot of work, but worth it. I used cocoa butter for about three months. However, if I didn’t apply it immediately after washing, the scaling would become visible again. Despite all my efforts, I was getting frustrated. The staff would just shake their heads—we’d tried prescription treatments, ointments, powders—you name it.

Desperate, I went online and found a doctor who recommended a special wash. Since it required a prescription, she suggested using Head & Shoulders as an alternative to help manage the skin scaling. It felt like having full-body dandruff. I bought four bottles of Head & Shoulders and started washing my arms, torso, and legs with it. I also got a body brush, so my routine became brushing off as much flaking skin as I could, then washing with the dandruff shampoo.

This combination worked like a charm! After about four days, the scaling had reduced significantly. It took about two and a half weeks for most of the scaling to go away. I still have a few stubborn spots, but for the most part, my skin has cleared up, and I’m so pleased with the results. Who knew that dandruff shampoo could help clear up a skin condition?

However, I had to consider that I’m in a very old hospital with hard water. Ironically, while the dandruff shampoo helped clear my skin, it also dried it out. So, it was crucial to moisturize immediately after rinsing off the shampoo. I switched from the solid cocoa butter to an oil version, which absorbed beautifully into my skin.

Since I’m either in a wheelchair or in bed most of the day, the oil was only practical for nighttime. It’s a fall hazard if you’re trying to use a walker or shuffle to the wheelchair with slippery feet! After about a month and a half, I had to switch again, this time to Baby Magic Creamy Baby Oil. I love this stuff—it’s like a cross between oil and lotion, absorbs quickly, and washes off my hands easily. It allowed me to wash and moisturize without worrying about slipping while transferring to the bed. I use it everywhere except for the stubborn spots around my ankles and heels, where I still apply Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.

I had no idea this would turn into such a journey to get my skin back in condition. I’m taking my vitamins and staying as hydrated as possible. What I’m doing internally supports what I’m doing externally, but going almost five months without proper skincare has turned into a year-long quest to restore my skin. I’m also working on my hair, which became matted while I was bedbound. Thankfully, a staff member helped comb it out, and while I lost a lot of hair, it’s slowly coming back.

I’m very satisfied with the progress I’ve made with my skin. For those caring for bedbound loved ones, it’s much easier to keep up with their skin than to let it go and deal with the aftermath. If their skin hasn’t been tended to in a while, start with Vaseline or Eucerin cream (with the red cap). Once the skin starts improving, you can switch to something lighter, but at first, heavy creams or Vaseline are necessary. The act of massaging these products into the skin also helps stimulate circulation and awaken the nerves just beneath the surface.

Maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails is a challenge when you’re bedbound, but even a little effort is better than none. If all you have is Vaseline, use it. Do what you can with what you have. If you’re able to reach your hands, arms, or legs, massage them as often as possible to keep the blood flowing. Keeping up with your skincare will help you continue to shine and glow. Even with physical limitations, staying moisturized, drinking water, and taking your vitamins can boost your recovery. Help yourself to help yourself.