Ulcers which occur on the skin surface due to prolonged pressure. Lying in bed with out movement (bedridden), sitting on a wheelchair or a cast used for prolonged period may cause sores.

Bed sores often develop on the back, heels, ankles, hips and tailbone and may include:

• Reddish skin
• Dark scab
• Chronic wound or swelling
• Tender skin
• Pusfilled blisters

→ Common treatment options

→ How is this diagnosed?

Bedsores occur when there is limited mobility, due to which there is an application of constant pressure on the skin surface that results in low blood flow to the skin. That part of the skin becomes vulnerable to damage and develops sores.

Primary factors contributing to bedsores are:

• Pressure: With constant Pressure on the body parts decreases the blood flow to skin tissues because of which the oxygen and necessary nutrients will not reach the tissues resulting in damage and eventual death of the tissues.
• Friction: the fragile skin will be vulnerable to injuries caused due to skin rubbing against clothes or bed linens.
• Shear: a Shear may develop when two surfaces skin and the surface below move in the opposite directions.

Risk factors include:

• Immobility   Poor health or spinal cord injury or other cause may make the person immobile.
• Incontinence  uncontrolled urination or dripping of urine, may cause the skin more vulnerable to develop sores.
• Lack of sensation   The inability to feel the pain or touch due to neurological conditions or spinal cord injuries, may result in being in the same position for a prolonged period.
• Advanced age groups
• Malnutrition
• Anaemia

→ Questions to ask your doctor

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