Bedsores - Causes, Risks, and Stages (2025)

Bedsores also known as pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, are skin injuries usually overa bony area due to consistently high pressures. For people who are bedridden or have limited mobility, they most commonly occur around the buttocks and sacrum area, but can also occur on heels, elbows, etc.

High skin interface pressure ("pressure points") is one of the main causes of pressure sores. High pressure on tissue ata bony area restricts blood flow to that area that may lead to the ‘death’ of the tissue.

Due to their prolonged sitting or resting in one position, and limited ability to switch positions easily, the following people are at high risk of developing sores:

• Wheelchair users
• Those who use mobility scooter, lift chairs, and medical recliners
• Bedridden patients
• Those in post-op care
• Those on dialysis, chemotherapy, etc
• The elderly

• Alert your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.
• Do not hope that sores will simply "go away" and do not rely on just home remedies.
• Keep a daily record of progression of sores.
• Medical treatment may include regular position changes, dressings, and, in severe cases, surgery.
• All options should include a mechanism to reduce pressure on the affected area so that sores don’t worsen and new sores don’t form. Otherwise, sores will keep healing and then recurring.