What are pressure sores and what can I do about them?

ACS Answer

A pressure sore develops when skin dies because it doesn’t get enough oxygen. A person who is bedridden or always in a wheelchair puts pressure on the same places, making these areas more likely to develop sores. These areas get worse when the patient rubs against his or her sheets or is pulled roughly in the bed or chair.

What to look for

• Red areas on the skin that do not go away even if the pressure is removed
• Cracked, blistered, scaly, or broken skin
• An open sore involving the skin’s surface or deeper, underlying tissue
• Yellowish stains on clothing, sheets, or chair (could be tinged with blood)
• Pain at “pressure points” (back of head, back of shoulder, elbows, buttocks, heels)

What to do

• Carefully rinse the sore with water and cover it with a bandage. Do this every time the bandage is dirty, or at least twice a day.
• If you use a wheelchair, change position every 30 minutes.
• Always protect the sore and the area around it with a pillow.
• Protect other “pressure points” with pillows to help prevent new sores. If possible, use sheepskin heel and elbow pads.
• Exercise as much as possible. Take a walk or move arms and legs up and down and back and forth.
• Eat foods high in protein, such as fish, tuna, milk, and peanut butter.
• Drink more fluids. If you are not eating well, drink high-calorie liquids, such as milkshakes.
• Bathe each day and pay attention to the “pressure point” areas.
• If you cannot control your bowel and bladder, change underwear as soon as you notice soiling and then apply an ointment to keep the area dry (e.g., A&D ointment). Sprinkle cornstarch over ointment.
• If you are bedridden:
  • Keep the bed sheets pulled tight to prevent wrinkles.
  • Keep the head of the bed flat of at a 30° angle.
  • Sprinkle sheets with cornstarch.
  • Change positions every 2 hours from your left side, to your back, to your right side.

Do not

• Try to “clean out” the wound by scrubbing it
• Rest or apply pressure directly on the area
• Rest in the same position for more than 2 hours
• Massage the sore or the area around it
• Pull yourself up from bed or chair, always lift

Call the doctor about any of the following symptoms

• If you notice cracked, blistered, scaly, broken skin
• If the sore is getting large
• If you notice thick, foul-smelling liquid draining from the sore

Related Resources

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.

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