Symptoms

Warning signs of bedsores or pressure ulcers are:

• Unusual 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
• Tender areas

Bedsores fall into one of several stages based on their depth, severity and other characteristics. The degree of skin and tissue damage ranges from red, 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 the following sites:

• Tailbone or buttocks
• Shoulder blades and spine
• Backs of arms and legs where they rest against the chair

For people who need to stay in bed, bedsores may happen on:

• The back or sides of the head
• The shoulder blades
• The hip, lower back or tailbone
• The heels, ankles and skin behind the knees

When to see a doctor

If you notice warning signs of a bedsore, change your position to relieve the pressure on the area. If you don't see improvement in 24 to 48 hours, contact your doctor.

Seek immediate medical care if you show signs of infection, such as a fever, drainage from a sore, a sore that smells bad, or increased redness, warmth or swelling around a sore.