Symptoms of bed sores
If you’re wondering whether or not you’re having bedsores or pressure ulcers, here are a couple of warning signs to watch out for:
- unusual changes in skin color or texture;
- swelling;
- pus-like draining;
- an area of skin that feels cooler and warmer to the touch than any other area;
- tender areas.
Usually, bedsores fall into at least one of the several stages mentioned above, depending on their depth, severity, and all the other characteristics. The degree of skin and tissue damage could range from changes in skin color to a deep injury involving muscles and bones.
Common areas of pressure ulcers
For people who need a wheelchair, bedsores often occur on the skin over the following areas:
- tailbone or buttocks;
- shoulder blades and spine;
- backs of arms and legs where they rest against the chair.
For people who are confined to bed, bedsores might appear 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
