What it is
Changing position often, special mattresses and cushions, good nutrition and keeping skin clean and dry help prevent them.
Treatment includes dressings, relieving pressure and sometimes removing damaged tissue. Severe ulcers can take a long time to heal.
Common signs
- Discoloured patches of skin that do not fade when pressed
- Skin that feels warm, spongy or hard
- Pain or itching in the area
- An open wound or blister
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examining the skin
- Grading the ulcer by how deep it is
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Wound assessments and photos
- Nursing care plans
- Dressing records
- Repositioning charts
Questions to ask your doctor
- How often should position be changed?
- What equipment could help prevent more sores?
- How will we know if it is healing?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Red, swollen, hot skin, pus or a bad smell from the wound with a fever: get urgent help the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.