Australian Medical Sheepskin for Pressure Sore Prevention

What is medical sheepskin?

A medical sheepskin is a specially tanned natural sheepskin made for patient care. Unlike a decorative rug, it is processed so the wool pile stays dense and resilient, the leather can be laundered repeatedly, and the surface stays soft against fragile skin.

Placed under a person who spends long hours in bed or in a chair, a medical sheepskin spreads body weight across thousands of springy wool fibres, absorbs moisture, lets air reach the skin and reduces the friction and shear that lead to pressure sores (also called bedsores, pressure injuries or decubitus ulcers).

The AS4480.1 standard explained

AS4480.1 is the Australian Standard for medical sheepskins. It sets requirements for wool density, pile and the tanning process so a sheepskin can be used safely in clinical care. Genuine products carry the Australian Medical Sheepskin stamp.

Why it matters: many sheepskins sold online look similar but are not tested to this standard. When you buy an AS4480.1 Australian Medical Sheepskin, you get a product made specifically for pressure care, with an extremely dense wool pile that keeps its loft wash after wash.

HiTemp vs. LowTemp medical sheepskin

Medical sheepskins are tanned for different washing conditions:

• HiTemp UR is tanned to withstand the higher wash temperatures used in hospital and nursing home laundries. “UR” means urine resistant, so it is the best choice where incontinence is a concern.
• LowTemp is made for gentler home washing at lower temperatures, and is a good value choice for chairs, armrests and lighter use.

Not sure which you need? See our product comparison or the incontinence solutions page.

Medical vs. synthetic vs. rug sheepskin

• Medical sheepskin (AS4480.1)

  Fibre

  Natural wool

  Absorbs moisture

  Yes

  Breathable

  Yes

  For pressure care

  Yes

  Repeated washing

  Yes

• Synthetic “sheepskin”

  Fibre

  Polyester / acrylic

  Absorbs moisture

  Little

  Breathable

  Limited

  For pressure care

  No

  Repeated washing

  Pile flattens

• Decorative rug

  Fibre

  Natural wool

  Absorbs moisture

  Yes

  Breathable

  Yes

  For pressure care

  No

  Repeated washing

  Not designed for it

Who benefits from medical sheepskin?

• People who are bedridden or spend most of the day in bed
• Wheelchair users and people who sit for long periods
• Patients recovering from surgery or a hospital stay
• Elderly people with thin or fragile skin
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• People with diabetes or poor circulation in the feet

Whether you care for a loved one at home or run a care facility, our nursing home care range and prevention packages cover every setting.

How to use medical sheepskin

• In bed: lay the sheepskin wool-side up under the hips and lower back, the area where pressure sores most often begin. Use a thin sheet or nothing between skin and wool.
• In a chair or wheelchair: place a seat pad or XD1900 Cushion-It on the seat, and add arm pads where the arms rest.
• For heels and elbows: use heel protectors or an elbow protector to cushion bony points.
• Keep repositioning: sheepskin works best alongside regular turning, good nutrition and daily skin checks.

Washing & caring for medical sheepskin

1. Shake & brushShake out loose debris and brush the wool gently before washing.
2. Wash with WoolskinMachine wash in cold or lukewarm water (HiTemp UR up to 80°C) with Woolskin sheepskin detergent & conditioner. It cleans and keeps the wool soft.
3. Dry gentlySpin dry, then lay flat leather-side up, away from direct heat or sun. Shake and brush to restore the pile.

Full instructions: Washing & drying sheepskin. Shop Woolskin 1.0L.

This guide is general information for caregivers. For an existing wound or a person at high risk, follow the advice of a doctor, nurse or wound-care specialist.