In this blog, we explain the causes of bedsores, who is most at risk, how they form, and how people can prevent them. We also discuss why bedsores may be a sign of neglect in hospitals, nursing homes or care facilities.
Bedsores are a serious medical problem. They can cause pain, infections, and long-term injuries. Many people think bedsores only happen in hospitals. But they can happen anywhere. Bedsores are also called pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers. They happen when the skin and tissue under the skin get damaged. This damage comes from pressure, friction, or poor blood flow.
Bedsores start when part of the body gets too much pressure for too long. When you sit or lie in one spot, your skin gets squeezed between the bone and the surface you are on. Blood cannot flow normally to that area. Without enough blood, the skin starts to die. This creates a sore.
At first, the skin may look red or feel warm. This is the first stage. If the pressure keeps going, the skin breaks open. In worse stages, the sore goes deep into the muscle and may reach the bone.
Bedsores are common on body parts where bones are close to the surface, such as:
People who cannot move well are most likely to get bedsores. But with the right care, bedsores are preventable.
Bedsores come from many factors. Some are physical causes. Others relate to health problems or lack of proper care. Here are the most common causes of bedsores:
Constant pressure is the number one cause of bedsores. This is why pressure sores form.
When someone cannot move on their own, pressure builds on certain parts of the body. This pressure blocks blood flow. When blood cannot reach the skin, the skin starts to break down. Even a few hours of unrelieved pressure can cause damage.
People who are stuck in a bed or wheelchair face a high risk of getting bed sores. If caregivers do not help their patients move often, bedsores can form quickly.
Friction is another major cause of pressure ulcers. This happens when skin rubs against sheets, clothing, or other surfaces. The rubbing removes the top layer of skin. It makes the skin weaker and easier to tear.
Friction can happen when:
Friction can turn a mild sore into a deeper wound.
Shear happens when the skin stays in one place while the bone underneath moves. This stretches and tears the tissue and blood vessels under the skin.
A common example is when a hospital bed is raised. The person may slide downward. The skin stays put, but the bones shift. This can cause serious damage deep in the tissue.
Shear forces are one of the leading causes of deep pressure ulcers.
Not moving is one of the biggest causes of bedsores. Movement helps blood flow. Even tiny adjustments protect the skin. But many people cannot move well due to:
When caregivers do not reposition these people every two hours, bedsores form quickly.
Bedsores from limited mobility are common in hospitals, rehab facilities and nursing homes where staff is overworked or untrained.
The skin needs vitamins, minerals, and protein to stay strong. Without good nutrition, the skin becomes thin and fragile. This makes it easy for pressure, friction, and shear to cause damage.
Dehydration is also a big risk. Dry skin cracks easily. Cracked skin is more likely to develop sores.
Common nutrition problems linked to bedsores include:
People who are elderly, sick, or unable to eat or drink on their own face a high risk of nutritional and dehydration problems.
Poor blood flow is a major cause of pressure sores. When blood cannot reach the skin, the tissue dies much faster.
Health problems that reduce circulation include:
People with poor circulation or any of the above, should be checked often for early signs of bedsores.
Too much moisture makes the skin soft and weak. This raises the risk of skin breakage.
Moisture can come from:
In hospitals, rehab facilities and nursing homes, moisture-related bedsores often happen when residents are not cleaned or changed often enough.
Good hygiene helps keep skin healthy. Poor hygiene weakens the skin and increases the risk of infection.
Poor hygiene includes:
Infections can develop fast and make pressure sores much worse.
One of the most serious causes of bedsores is neglect. Bedsores rarely happen when someone receives proper care.
Bedsores are often a sign that caregivers or nursing home staff failed to:
Stage 3 and Stage 4 bedsores are strong indicators of caregiver neglect.
Anyone can develop a bedsore. But certain people face much higher risks.
Bedsores develop in four main stages.
Stage 1 Bedsore
This is the earliest stage.
Stage 2 Bedsore
The skin is now damaged.
Stage 3 Bedsore
Stage 3 sores are serious.
Stage 4 Bedsore
Stage 4 sores are often a sign of severe neglect.
Preventing bedsores is possible with proper care. Here are the most important steps.
In many cases, yes. Bedsores often happen when someone does not receive the basic care they need.
Caregivers must:
If these steps are ignored, bedsores develop.
If someone you care about has a Stage 3 or Stage 4 bedsore in a nursing home or hospital, this may be a sign of neglect. Families should ask questions and may want to contact a lawyer.
Bedsores are often preventable. Families across South Carolina trust The Law Offices of David L. Hood to stand up to nursing home abuse and neglect. If bedsores harmed your loved one, contact us today to learn your legal options.
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Bedsores are painful and dangerous. They come from pressure, friction, shear, poor nutrition, and lack of care. They affect people who cannot move well. But the good news is that bedsores are preventable with simple steps.
Understanding the causes of bedsores can help protect people in hospitals, nursing homes, and at home. With proper care, attention, and support, bedsores do not have to happen at all.
For more information on bedsores: Hopkinsmedicine.org
