What are pressure ulcers?
Pressure ulcers are sores that occur when pressure cuts off the blood supply to the skin. Stress caused by the body’s weight and the impact of striking the ground place the ball of the foot, the big toe, and the heel at greatest risk. Left untreated, an ulcer may allow infection to enter your body. If infection reaches the bloodstream or bone, your life or limb may be at risk. But with your podiatrist’s help, your health can be protected.
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitis ulcers, develop when skin is squeezed between a bone and an external surface, such as a bed or chair. Unrelieved pressure on skin squeezes the blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to skin and other tissue. This kills the tissue, starting with the tissue closest to the bone. Even mild rubbing or friction can cause or increase the severity of a pressure ulcer, which can develop in as little as 1-2 hours. Some pressure ulcers stop at a mild redness, while others can develop into deep craters, where the skin is open and a cavity can open all the way to the bone. They can cause secondary infections that can cause death.
Pressure ulcers are injuries which occur when prolonged pressure on a particular area of the body interrupts the blood flow, causing tissue death. These injuries can become very serious or even deadly if they are not addressed, making it critical to take steps to prevent pressure ulcers, and to treat them rapidly whenever they appear. These injuries may also be referred to as pressure sores, bedsores, or decubitus ulcers, and medical professionals who work in environments where people are at increased risk are often trained in the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. People who spend a great deal of time in bed, even if only for a few days while recovering from surgery, are at risk for pressure ulcers, as are individuals in wheelchairs, people with fragile skin, elderly individuals, and people with circulatory conditions. These sores can also emerge in response to friction, as in the case or sores which may appear on the thighs of someone with urinary incontinence. In the earl
