How to Care for a Person With a Cervical Collar

A cervical collar provides support for patients of spine and neck injuries. Whether your friend or relative suffers from whiplash, a spinal fracture, or simply a considerable amount of neck pain, a cervical collar can immobilize their neck to better spur the healing process. According to Spine Universe, cervical collars come in hard and soft (bending) varieties, in addition to temporary and permanent models.

Instructions

• 1

  Check to make sure that the person you are caring for wears both collars in the shower. In the case that the doctor prescribed your relative or friend a permanent collar and a temporary collar, remind him that the temporary collar is largely intended for bathing.

• 2

  Have your friend lie on her back while she switches collars. To help, carefully remove the front half of the old collar and replace it with the front half of the new collar. Tell her to flip over onto her stomach and repeat with the lower halves.

• 3

  Make sure your friend or relative has a firm mattress. According to PubMed Central, this provides back support and aids the collar in straightening the spine.

• 4

  Buy your friend an electric razor if he is a man. Remind him that use of a regular straight-razor can leave shaving cream and residue in his collar. Tell him to shave with an electric razor to keep his neck clean.

• 5

  Tell her to avoid bathtubs, hot tubs and whirlpools. Immersion in water for long periods may soak the collar or wrinkle the skin on her neck.

• 6

  Make sure he wears a temporary collar for six to eight weeks after surgery (if there was a surgery). If the doctor gave him two collars, he should wear both as often as possible until the end of this initial period.

• 7

  Tell her to avoid lotions, powders and oils. These can insinuate themselves into the collar and cause discomfort or stickiness.

• 8

  Get your friend or relative a soft collar if you can. Unlike hard collars, soft collars are flexible and have fewer adverse effects (such as sedentary damage to your neck). Tell him to wear a hard collar only if his doctor specifically prescribes it.