Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are the Symptoms of Bedsores?Stages of BedsoresWhat Are the Causes of Bedsores?How Are Bedsores Diagnosed?What Are the Complications of Bedsores?How Are Bedsores Treated?How Are Bedsores Prevented?Summary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are the Symptoms of Bedsores?
Stages of Bedsores
What Are the Causes of Bedsores?
How Are Bedsores Diagnosed?
What Are the Complications of Bedsores?
How Are Bedsores Treated?
How Are Bedsores Prevented?
Summary
A pressure sore, also known as a bed sore or pressure ulcer, is an injury to the skin that occurs when blood flow to the area is disrupted due to sitting or lying in one position for a long time. Bedsores are common. In the United States, it’s believed that around 2.5 million people each year will develop bed sores.
The early stages of a pressure sore may include discomfort and changes in skin color and temperature. Recognizing them quickly—and making adjustments to prevent them from worsening—can help you avoid pain and complications.
This article discusses pressure sores, how you can prevent them, and what to do if you spot the early signs of a developing sore.
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The beginning signs of a pressure sore include:
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you or a loved one has any signs of pressure sores. If not treated early on, they can advance and pose serious concerns, including deep open wounds and possible life-threatening infections.
Pressure sores can appear on any part of the skin that has prolonged contact with an object like a bed or wheelchair. They usually appear on bony areas, including the hip bone, tail bone, spine, shoulder blades, elbows, back of the head, knees, and heels.
Risk Factors For Bedsores
Some people are more likely to develop bed sores than others. Some of the things that increase the risk include:
Pressure sores develop in areas where your weight is pressing against a surface. If that pressure lasts for more than two or three hours and your blood can’t reach the area, the skin, and underlying tissues become damaged because of the lack of oxygen and nutrients.
Wearing a cast, splint, or prosthetic device can also lead to pressure sores. They are also more likely to form in areas where your skin is wet from a fluid like urine or sweat.
Pressure sores are more likely to develop when you’re elderly; as you age, your skin becomes thinner and more easily damaged. You’re also more likely to get pressure sores if you have mobility issues, are unable to switch positions, suffer from malnutrition, or have a loss of sensation in your skin.
Pressure sore diagnosis begins with a skin examination. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about when the sore appeared and whether or not it hurts. They will also want to know how often you change position and whether you have had bed sores in the past.
Your healthcare provider will be able to assess whether your sore is a pressure sore and if so, what stage it is in. If they think the sore might be infected, they may also:
Untreated bed sores can cause serious complications, such as:
The care you need depends on how advanced your bed sore is. Always check with your healthcare provider to make sure that you’re receiving the right treatment.
If your practitioner diagnoses you with an early stage of pressure sores, they may recommend the following:
Taking care of your general health will also help pressure sores heal faster. Eat nutritious foods, get lots of sleep, and be sure to manage other underlying health conditions, like diabetes.
Pressure sores can develop if you spend too much time sitting or lying in the same position. Pressure sores are common in people who are immobile due to an illness or physical disability.
If you’re at risk for pressure sores, check your skin daily for early signs and make sure to change position at least once every two hours. If you’re not sure how to spot the early signs of pressure sores, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider. They can help you to identify pressure sores before they cause any complications.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bedsores.University of Washington.Skin Care and Pressure Sores.National Health Service.Pressure Ulcers.Department of Social Services, State of CA.Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Patient’s Guide.Stransky J.Need specification statement.Kaka AS, Beekmann SE, Gravely A, Filice GA, Polgreen PM, Johnson JR.Diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis associated with stage 4 pressure ulcers: Report of a query to the Emerging Infections Network of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(11):ofz406. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofz406U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.How to care for pressure sores.Brandatilde C, Fillus R, da Luz MS, et al.Use of specific supplementation for healing in surgical wounds: Case report.Mathews J Surg. 2022;5(1):1-5. doi:10.30654/MJS.10016
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bedsores.University of Washington.Skin Care and Pressure Sores.National Health Service.Pressure Ulcers.Department of Social Services, State of CA.Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Patient’s Guide.Stransky J.Need specification statement.Kaka AS, Beekmann SE, Gravely A, Filice GA, Polgreen PM, Johnson JR.Diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis associated with stage 4 pressure ulcers: Report of a query to the Emerging Infections Network of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(11):ofz406. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofz406U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.How to care for pressure sores.Brandatilde C, Fillus R, da Luz MS, et al.Use of specific supplementation for healing in surgical wounds: Case report.Mathews J Surg. 2022;5(1):1-5. doi:10.30654/MJS.10016
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bedsores.University of Washington.Skin Care and Pressure Sores.National Health Service.Pressure Ulcers.Department of Social Services, State of CA.Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Patient’s Guide.Stransky J.Need specification statement.Kaka AS, Beekmann SE, Gravely A, Filice GA, Polgreen PM, Johnson JR.Diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis associated with stage 4 pressure ulcers: Report of a query to the Emerging Infections Network of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(11):ofz406. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofz406U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.How to care for pressure sores.Brandatilde C, Fillus R, da Luz MS, et al.Use of specific supplementation for healing in surgical wounds: Case report.Mathews J Surg. 2022;5(1):1-5. doi:10.30654/MJS.10016
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bedsores.
University of Washington.Skin Care and Pressure Sores.
National Health Service.Pressure Ulcers.
Department of Social Services, State of CA.Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Patient’s Guide.
Stransky J.Need specification statement.
Kaka AS, Beekmann SE, Gravely A, Filice GA, Polgreen PM, Johnson JR.Diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis associated with stage 4 pressure ulcers: Report of a query to the Emerging Infections Network of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(11):ofz406. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofz406
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.How to care for pressure sores.
Brandatilde C, Fillus R, da Luz MS, et al.Use of specific supplementation for healing in surgical wounds: Case report.Mathews J Surg. 2022;5(1):1-5. doi:10.30654/MJS.10016
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