What it is
A bed sore is an area of damaged skin and sometimes the tissue beneath it. It develops when steady pressure reduces blood flow to that area for too long. Clinicians usually call these pressure injuries or pressure ulcers.
Bed sores most often form over bony areas such as the tailbone, hips, heels, and ankles. They can affect people who spend long periods in a bed or wheelchair, have limited ability to shift position, or have reduced sensation. Friction, shearing (skin sliding against a surface), moisture, and poor nutrition can also play a role.
Pressure injuries are commonly described in stages, from skin that is red and does not fade when pressed, to open wounds that reach deeper tissue. Staging is done by a trained clinician, and it helps guide care. Because a wound can look different from how deep it really is, a professional evaluation is important.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, care for pressure injuries has centered on relieving pressure on the affected area. This often involves changing position regularly and using specialized cushions, mattresses, or heel supports. Caregivers and clinicians commonly work together on these routines.
Wound care has also typically included keeping the area clean, choosing dressings suited to the wound, managing moisture, and looking after overall nutrition and hydration. Which approach fits depends on the wound, the person, and the clinician's assessment.
For more complex or slow-healing wounds, clinicians may consider additional options such as removing non-healthy tissue, negative pressure wound therapy, or other advanced therapies. Whether any of these is appropriate is a decision for a licensed clinician after an evaluation.
How the right wound care specialist may help
The right wound care specialist may help by looking closely at the wound, identifying its likely cause, and determining its stage. A visit generally includes a conversation about your health history, mobility, nutrition, and daily routines, along with a hands-on look at the skin and wound.
A specialist may also help you understand what is contributing to the injury and what options exist for pressure relief, dressings, and ongoing monitoring. They may coordinate with your primary doctor, nurses, caregivers, or other professionals involved in your care. No outcome can be promised, and every situation is different.
Questions worth asking a licensed provider include: What is causing this wound? What stage is it? What treatment options are available and why? How long might healing take? Is there anything that could slow healing? What will insurance cover? What signs should prompt me to call you right away?
The whole-person view
Body, mind, and stress affect each other, and that is true with wounds too. Pain, disrupted sleep, limited mobility, and the worry of a long recovery can wear on emotional well-being, while stress and low mood can in turn affect energy, appetite, and daily self-care.
Some people find that body-based support, such as the approaches listed through Somatic Experiences, helps them feel more at ease with their bodies during recovery. Others value talk therapy through Therapists.plus to work through frustration, fear, or caregiver strain. These can complement medical wound care, never replace it.
Somatic Experiences: trauma and emotional healing →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Seek medical care promptly for any sign of infection: spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever, or chills, or if a wound is rapidly worsening.
- Call 911 or go to the ER for heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis (such as confusion, rapid heartbeat, or high fever with severe illness), or a deep or severely contaminated wound.
- Only a licensed clinician can evaluate a wound and decide which treatments are appropriate. Skin substitutes, amniotic or placental grafts, and similar products vary in FDA status and insurance coverage, so ask your provider about them (amnioticdoctors.com offers further reading on amniotic products, and is not affiliated with this site).
- If emotional distress feels overwhelming, call or text the 988 Lifeline. This page is educational and does not replace professional care.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bed sore?
A bed sore is damage to the skin and sometimes deeper tissue caused by prolonged pressure that limits blood flow to an area. It is also called a pressure injury or pressure ulcer. It commonly appears over bony areas like the tailbone, hips, and heels.
What causes a bed sore?
Bed sores are caused mainly by sustained pressure on one area of the body, often combined with friction, shearing, and moisture. Limited mobility, reduced sensation, and poor nutrition can raise the likelihood. A clinician can help identify what is contributing in a specific situation.
What does a bed sore look like in the early stages?
Early on, a bed sore may look like reddened skin that stays red when pressed, and the area may feel warm, firm, or tender. Skin tone can change how redness shows, so changes in color or texture matter. Anyone noticing these signs should ask a licensed provider to examine the area.
What are the stages of a bed sore?
Clinicians describe pressure injuries in stages, ranging from intact but reddened skin to open wounds that reach deeper tissue, with some wounds that cannot be staged until they are cleaned. Staging must be done by a trained professional. It helps guide the care plan the provider recommends.
When should I see a doctor about a bed sore?
See a licensed provider promptly if you notice a new area of skin damage, a wound that is not improving, or any sign of infection such as spreading redness, pus, foul odor, increasing pain, fever, or chills. For heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, or signs of sepsis, call 911 or go to the ER.
How can a wound care specialist help with a bed sore?
A wound care specialist may evaluate the wound, determine its cause and stage, and discuss treatment options suited to you. They commonly look at pressure relief, dressings, nutrition, and overall health. Ask about healing time, treatment choices, and insurance coverage, since results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Educational resource. WoundKare shares general information and connects people with independent wound care specialists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.