A well-defined superficial pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcers on the skin of the buttock area on a paralyzed woman that has broken down due to the inability to move. Before the skin breaks down into an ulcer, skin areas subjected to too much pressure turn red, as seen on the lower back of this elderly woman. A pressure ulcer can be seen in the area just above the buttock crease. A pressure ulcer can be seen on the outer ankle area.
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Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)  Information for adults

Picture of Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers): A well-defined superficial pressure ulcer. Divider line
A well-defined superficial pressure ulcer.
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Signs and Symptoms
A bedsore appears first as a reddened area of skin, which then starts to break down to form an open, raw, oozing wound.

Bedsores occur at areas of abnormal pressure on the body:
  • In a wheelchair, this is usually the tailbone (coccyx) or buttocks area, shoulder blades, spine, or backs of the arms or legs.
  • In a bed, they may occur on the back of the head, ears, shoulder blades, hips, lower back, tailbone, or the backs or sides of the knees, elbows, ankles, or toes.
The pain level associated with bedsores depends on whether or not there is feeling in the area.

Bedsores occur in stages:
  • Stage 1 has unbroken, but pink or ashen (in darker skin) discoloration with perhaps slight itch or tenderness.
  • Stage 2 has red, swollen skin with a blister or open areas.
  • Stage 3 has a crater-like ulcer extending deeper into the skin.
  • Stage 4 extends to deep fat, muscle, or bone and may have a thick black scab (eschar).
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Last Modified: 25 Feb 2009
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