What are pressure sores?
Pressure sores, often called bedsores, are skin injuries caused by steady pressure on one area of skin. The pressure cuts off blood flow to the area, which can damage the skin.
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Pressure sores most often happen on bony parts of the body, like the tailbone, hips, heels, and elbows
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Pressure sores are common in people who are bedridden or chairbound, who can’t move normally, or who have a cast or splint that presses too tightly
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Changing positions helps prevent pressure sores
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People who can’t move themselves should have their position changed every 1 to 2 hours
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Most pressure sores can be prevented by changing position often and keeping the skin clean and dry
What causes pressure sores?
Pressure sores are caused by:
People who are awake and able to move constantly shift their position without thinking. If people don't shift position, after an hour or so, the weight of their body shuts off blood flow to the skin they're lying on. The longer the pressure continues, the worse the skin damage.
Who is at risk of pressure sores?
People at risk of pressure sores include those who:
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Can't shift position because they're unconscious, paralyzed, or have dementia
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Can't feel pain
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Have a cast or splint that presses on a bony bump such as the ankle bones
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Have damp skin, such as from lying on sheets that are wet from sweat, urine, or stool (poop)
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Have a poor diet
Pressure sores can form very quickly, sometimes within a few hours.
What are the symptoms of pressure sores?
How does the doctor know there's a pressure sore?
People who are confused or aren't able to feel pain won't notice a pressure sore developing. If you're taking care of someone at risk, you must watch that person closely for the first sign of a pressure sore.
Doctors recognize a pressure sore by how it looks.
When pressure sores don't heal, doctors may look for infection by:
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Doing an MRI
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Sometimes, taking a small piece of tissue and sending it for a lab test
How do doctors treat pressure sores?
How can pressure sores be prevented?
Doctors try to prevent pressure sores because they’re hard to treat.
For a person who is bedbound or chairbound, caregivers should:
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Look at the skin each day
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Adjust the person's position every 1 to 2 hours
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Keep the skin dry and clean
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Carefully check skin for redness or other changes in color at pressure areas
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Change bed sheets as soon as they get wet
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Cushion bony body parts with protective coverings or pillows
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Sometimes use a special mattress or wheelchair cushion that gives pressure relief
