Overview

A pressure injury on the skin is caused by constant pressure to one or more areas or spots of the skin. The pressure damages the skin and underlying tissues, creating an injury. This can happen when you lie in bed or sit in a chair or wheelchair for a long time. And it can happen much more quickly when the health of your skin is affected by problems like poor nutrition or a disease that affects your blood circulation.

Pressure injuries usually occur over bony areas, such as your sit bones, hips, lower back, elbows, heels, and shoulders. They also can occur in places where the skin folds over on itself. You may have mild redness or open wounds that are harder to heal.

Good care at home can help heal pressure injuries. This includes keeping pressure off the affected area and following your doctor's instructions on caring for your injury. Eating a healthy diet with enough protein can also help with healing.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Change positions often. For example, change positions about every 2 hours when lying down and every 5 to 15 minutes while sitting. Try setting a timer to remind yourself.
• If your doctor prescribed a medicated ointment or cream, use it exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Wash pressure injuries every day, or as often as your doctor recommends. Most tap water is safe, but follow the advice of your doctor or nurse. They may recommend that you use a saline solution. This is a salt and water solution that you can buy over the counter.
• Put on bandages as your doctor or wound care specialist says.
• Keep healthy tissue around the sore clean and dry.
• Check your skin every day for sores (or have a caregiver do it). Using a mirror may help.
• If you know what caused the injury, find a way to remove that pressure.