Overview
Bedsores are injuries to the skin and the tissue below the skin that are due to pressure on the skin for a long time. Bedsores most often arise on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone. Bedsores also are called pressure ulcers, pressure injuries and decubitus ulcers.
The people who are most at risk of bedsores have medical conditions that keep them from changing positions or moving. Or they spend most of their time in a bed or a chair.
Bedsores can arise over hours or days. Most sores heal with treatment, but some never heal completely. You can take steps to put a stop to bedsores and help them heal.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of bedsores are:
- Changes in skin color or texture.
- Swelling.
- Pus-like draining.
- An area of skin that feels cooler or warmer to the touch than other areas.
- Sore areas.
Bedsores fall into one of several stages based on their depth, how serious they are and other features. The degree of skin and tissue damage ranges from inflamed, unbroken skin to a deep injury involving muscle and bone.
Common sites of pressure ulcers
For people who use wheelchairs, bedsores often occur on skin over these areas:
- Tailbone or buttocks.
- Shoulder blades and spine.
- Backs of arms and legs where they rest against a chair.
For people who need to stay in bed, bedsores may happen on the:
- Back or sides of the head.
- Shoulder blades.
- Hip, lower back or tailbone.
- Heels, ankles and skin behind the knees.
When to see a doctor
If you notice warning signs of a bedsore, change your position to ease pressure on the area. If the area doesn’t improve in 24 to 48 hours, contact your healthcare professional.
Seek medical care right away if you notice signs of infection. These include fever, drainage from a sore or a sore that smells bad, as well as warmth or swelling around a sore.
