Caregivers & Loved Ones An Overview of Pressure Sores Changes in skin color and temperature offer clues a sore is forming By Angela Morrow, RN Angela Morrow, RN LinkedIn Angela Morrow, RN, BSN, CHPN, is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 23, 2023 Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO LinkedIn Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Quinnipiac University and works in private practice in Hartford, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment 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. The beginning signs of a pressure sore may include discomfort and changes in skin color and temperature, and recognizing them early on—and making adjustments to prevent them from worsening—can help you avoid pain and complications. StockPlanets / Getty Images Symptoms 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. The beginning signs of a pressure sore include: Skin that’s red Skin that’s either abnormally warm or cool to the touch Blue or purple tint on the skin (if you have darker skin) Skin that doesn't pass the blanching test Pain, tingling, or itching on any part of the body (even if it’s minor) Pressure sores fall into different stages from mild to severe. As a pressure sore progresses, symptoms may include: BlisteringBroken skin or an open woundA crater-like appearanceSignificant painDeep-tissue injury that can affect the muscles, tendons, and bones 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. Causes 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. Pressure sores can also 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. Diagnosis Your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose pressure sores by looking at them during an exam. Based on your symptoms, they can also tell you if your bed sores are at an early or a more advanced stage. Treatment 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: Relieve pressure on the area: If you’re in a wheelchair, change positions every 15 minutes by leaning forward and side-to-side. If you’re in bed, make sure you’re moving to a new position every two hours. Use pillows or other supports to help keep you comfortable in different positions.Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendation for cleaning your sore: For the beginning signs of a pressure sore, they may suggest you wash with mild soap and water. For a more open sore, your practitioner may suggest cleaning with a saline rinse. Make sure you pat the area dry, rather than rub it, to avoid irritation.Cover the sore, if needed: Ask your healthcare provider if your sore should be covered with a special dressing or bandage. Take care of your general health: Eat nutritious foods and get lots of sleep to help your body heal. More advanced sores will take a longer time to heal and will need to be treated by a healthcare provider. Your practitioner may need to remove dead tissue, a process known as debridement. This is often done with a scalpel, chemical solution, whirlpool bath, or biosurgery. A Word From Verywell Check your skin daily if you’re at risk for pressure sores. If you're not sure how to spot the early signs, don't hesitate to call your healthcare provider. They can help you to identify pressure sores before they cause any complications. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System. 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. U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. How to care for pressure sores. By Angela Morrow, RN Angela Morrow, RN, BSN, CHPN, is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit