Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen It FormsStagingTreatmentHealingCareRisk
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When It Forms
Staging
Treatment
Healing
Care
Risk
Pressure ulcers are staged—or named—based on symptoms and the extent of damage. This system provides a way of describing the type of pressure ulcer.
Prevention and early diagnosis are crucial to avoid severe problems. Without care, this type of wound can become infected. This can put you at risk of extreme outcomes likesepsis(a full-body response to an infection in your bloodstream).
This article describes pressure ulcer causes, staging, treatment, and ways to prevent this problem.
When Does a Pressure Ulcer Form?
A pressure ulcer forms on an area of the skin with prolonged pressure due to immobility. It can also form in areas that remain wet due to constant contact with body fluids like urine or sweat.
The continued pressure reduces blood flow and other fluids to the tissue in the affected area. This causes damage that leads to cell death, skin breakdown, and the eventual formation of an open wound.
The appearance of a pressure ulcer can happen quickly in a period as short as two hours, or it can occur over days. The wound is vulnerable to pain, disability, and infection.
Without correcting the circumstances causing the pressure, the skin damage is progressive. The deterioration eventually spreads to deeper tissue layers, affecting muscles, tendons, and bones.
Having one or more of the following internal and externalrisk factorsfor pressure ulcers can make you more susceptible to these wounds:
Internal risk factors for pressure ulcers include:
External risk factors for pressure ulcers include:
Among people with these risk factors, those with spinal cord injuries and those who live in nursing homes have the highest incidence of pressure ulcers.
What Happens to the Body After Sitting Down for Too Long?
Staging of Pressure Ulcer Symptoms
The staging of pressure ulcer symptoms describes symptoms, the extent of tissue loss, and the anatomical features of each pressure ulcer stage. While there are different classification systems, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) included the most recent research and clinical expertise regarding these conditions in its 2016 revision of its staging system to include the following criteria:
Stage 1(the earliest stage of a pressure ulcer)
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Unstageable pressure injury
Deep tissue pressure injury
How Different Stages of Pressure Ulcers Look
Treating and Tending to a Pressure Ulcer
Treatment of a pressure ulcer depends on the extent of the injury when it is diagnosed. Your healthcare provider and wound team will determine the seriousness of your pressure ulcer and the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment varies based on the site, stage, and potential pressure ulcer complications. Open or broken pressure ulcers often require longer and more complex treatment than closed pressure ulcers.
Treatments commonly used for pressure ulcers include the following:
Conservative treatment(usually adequate for stages 1 and 2 pressure ulcers) includes:
Surgical treatment(may be necessary for stages 3 and 4 pressure ulcers when conservative treatment is not adequate) includes:
Infected Pressure Ulcer TreatmentTreatment of an infected pressure ulcer typically involves the use of antibiotics or antiseptics to kill or slow the growth of the source of the infection and help prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. Antibiotics may be administered systemically (orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly) or topical with an antibiotic or antiseptic.Healing time for an infected pressure ulcer can vary based on the stage of the wound when treatment began and the extent of the infection.Infected ulcers can take longer than uninfected pressure ulcers to heal. In some cases, an infection can develop into a chronic wound or it can spread throughout your body, leading toosteomyelitis(a type of bone infection) as the disease spreads a life-threatening problem like sepsis.
Infected Pressure Ulcer Treatment
Treatment of an infected pressure ulcer typically involves the use of antibiotics or antiseptics to kill or slow the growth of the source of the infection and help prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. Antibiotics may be administered systemically (orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly) or topical with an antibiotic or antiseptic.Healing time for an infected pressure ulcer can vary based on the stage of the wound when treatment began and the extent of the infection.Infected ulcers can take longer than uninfected pressure ulcers to heal. In some cases, an infection can develop into a chronic wound or it can spread throughout your body, leading toosteomyelitis(a type of bone infection) as the disease spreads a life-threatening problem like sepsis.
Treatment of an infected pressure ulcer typically involves the use of antibiotics or antiseptics to kill or slow the growth of the source of the infection and help prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. Antibiotics may be administered systemically (orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly) or topical with an antibiotic or antiseptic.
Healing time for an infected pressure ulcer can vary based on the stage of the wound when treatment began and the extent of the infection.
Infected ulcers can take longer than uninfected pressure ulcers to heal. In some cases, an infection can develop into a chronic wound or it can spread throughout your body, leading toosteomyelitis(a type of bone infection) as the disease spreads a life-threatening problem like sepsis.
Pressure Ulcer Healing
Pressure ulcer healing can vary greatly based on the location and extent of damage when treatment begins. Other factors, such as your general health and medical conditions, can also affect healing.
Signs of pressure ulcer healing include the following changes:
During the healing process, a pressure ulcer can become infected. Contact your healthcare provider if any of the following occurs:
Pressure Ulcer Dressing Guide
Your healthcare provider will advise an individualized routine for dressing your pressure ulcer to promote healing. A common routine includes the following procedures:
Caring for Someone to Prevent Pressure Ulcers
Taking the following precautions can help prevent pressure ulcers when caring for someone who is at risk for this condition:
How to Prevent Bed Sores
Home Setup and Pressure Ulcer Risk
If you or a loved one living at home is at risk for pressure ulcers, a healthcare provider and rehabilitation team can help you determine the type of home setup needed to reduce your individual pressure ulcer risk.
Support surfaces reduce the risk of pressure, especially in areas vulnerable to pressure ulcer development. Avoid recycling a previously used support surface until your healthcare provider approves it as being safe for your needs. Beware that your needs can change throughout your care.
Financial coverage (reimbursement) for specialty devices may be available for certain products. Check with your insurance carrier to determine whether these items are covered.
Some common items for a home setup include the following:
How to Properly Position Bed Bound Patients
Summary
A pressure ulcer or pressure injury is an area of skin that breaks down as a result of constant pressure. This problem occurs most often among people who remain in bed or a wheelchair for long stretches.
Preventing the onset of pressure ulcers is the best way to avoid the severe problems that can result. Frequent movement or change of position, proper bedding, cushions, and sound skin hygiene can reduce your risk of having this problem.
12 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.
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Norman G, Dumville JC, Moore ZE, Tanner J, Christie J, Goto S.Antibiotics and antiseptics for pressure ulcers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2016(4):CD011586. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011586.pub2
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC).Recognizing and treating pressure sores.
University of Washington Rehabilitation Medicine.Taking care of pressure sores.
Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine.A guide for people with spinal cord injury.
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