Alternating Air Mattress Helps Prevent Skin Breakdown

Anyone who remains in the same position in the bed runs a risk of skin breakdown and bedsores. Hospitals often have special mattresses that automatically alternate pressure zones to reduce the likelihood of these problems.

Recently, we started noticing more and more issues with skin breakdown and our daughter's OT suggested an alternating air mattress. We discovered there are mattresses that can replace an existing mattress or there are covers that set on top of an existing mattress. Both work on the same principle. They attach to a motorized pump that constantly shifts air around in the different cells in the mattress. This means pressure is moved around and you can remain in the same position longer than on a regular mattress. We rent ours and have found it to be helpful. It is not as hot as memory foam or lamb's wool and when it comes to bedsores, heat and moisture are the enemies. Lamb's wool can help reduce sheering, but these mattresses help with pressure. It is certainly worth looking into if skin breakdown becomes an issue. Our daughter is very comfortable on hers.