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.
Key Takeaways
- Bedsores are also called pressure sores or pressure ulcers.
- The main cause of bedsores is constant pressure on the skin.
- Friction and shear forces make bedsores worse.
- Limited mobility greatly increases the risk of pressure ulcers.
- Poor nutrition and dehydration weaken the skin.
- Medical conditions like diabetes and poor circulation raise risk.
- Moisture from sweat, urine, or stool damages the skin.
- Most bedsores are preventable with proper care.
- Stage 3 and Stage 4 bedsores are often signs of neglect.
- Nursing home residents are at the highest risk for bedsores.
What Are Bedsores?
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:
- Tailbone
- Hips
- Heels
- Elbows
- Back of the head
- Ankles
- Shoulders
People who cannot move well are most likely to get bedsores. But with the right care, bedsores are preventable.
Main Causes of Bedsores
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:
1. Constant Pressure
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.
2. Friction on the Skin
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:
- A person is moved without being lifted
- A person slides down a bed or chair
- Caregivers pull instead of lifting
Friction can turn a mild sore into a deeper wound.
3. Shear Forces
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.
4. Limited Mobility
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:
- Paralysis
- Illness
- Injury
- Surgery recovery
- Dementia
- Weakness
- Old age
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.
5. Poor Nutrition and Dehydration
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:
- Low protein
- Low vitamin C
- Low vitamin E
- Low zinc
- Not drinking enough water
People who are elderly, sick, or unable to eat or drink on their own face a high risk of nutritional and dehydration problems.
6. Poor Blood Circulation
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:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Blood clots
- Smoking
People with poor circulation or any of the above, should be checked often for early signs of bedsores.
7. Moisture on the Skin
Too much moisture makes the skin soft and weak. This raises the risk of skin breakage.
Moisture can come from:
- Sweat
- Urine
- Stool
- Leaks from wounds
- Spilled liquids
- Poor bathing routines
In hospitals, rehab facilities and nursing homes, moisture-related bedsores often happen when residents are not cleaned or changed often enough.
8. Poor Hygiene and Skin Care
Good hygiene helps keep skin healthy. Poor hygiene weakens the skin and increases the risk of infection.
Poor hygiene includes:
- Not bathing regularly
- Dirty sheets or clothing
- Untreated rashes
- Not drying the skin after cleaning
Infections can develop fast and make pressure sores much worse.
9. Nursing Home Neglect or Poor Care
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:
- Reposition the person regularly
- Provide clean and dry clothing or bedding
- Check the skin often
- Help the person eat or drink
- Move the person safely
- Maintain proper hygiene
- Use pressure-relief equipment
Stage 3 and Stage 4 bedsores are strong indicators of caregiver neglect.
Who Is at the Highest Risk for Bedsores?
Anyone can develop a bedsore. But certain people face much higher risks.
- People Who Are Bedridden: People who must stay in bed for long periods face a very high risk. This includes people recovering from serious illness, injury, or surgery.
- People Who Use Wheelchairs: Sitting all day puts pressure on the tailbone, back, and legs. Without proper support or movement, sores form.
- Older Adults: Aging skin is thin and less elastic. Many older adults also have poor circulation or chronic health problems.
- People With Limited Movement: This includes people with paralysis, stroke, broken bones, or severe illness.
- People With Poor Nutrition or Dehydration: Weak, dry skin breaks down faster.
- People With Medical Conditions Like Diabetes: These conditions slow healing and reduce circulation.
- People With Reduced Feeling or Sensation: People with nerve damage may not feel early warning signs.
- People in Nursing Homes, Hospitals, or Assisted Living Facilities: Crowded or understaffed facilities have much higher rates of bedsores.
Stages of Bedsores Explained
Bedsores develop in four main stages.
Stage 1 Bedsore
- Skin is red
- No open wound
- May feel warm, firm, or painful
This is the earliest stage.
Stage 2 Bedsore
- Skin breaks open
- Shallow wound
- May look like a blister
The skin is now damaged.
Stage 3 Bedsore
- Sore goes into deeper tissues
- Fat may be visible
- Infection risk increases
Stage 3 sores are serious.
Stage 4 Bedsore
- Sore reaches muscle or bone
- Very deep wound
- High risk of infection
Stage 4 sores are often a sign of severe neglect.
How to Prevent Bedsores
Preventing bedsores is possible with proper care. Here are the most important steps.
- Reposition the Body Often: This reduces pressure. Move every two hours in bed. Shift weight every 15 minutes in a wheelchair.
- Use Pressure-Relief Tools: Special mattresses, pads, and cushions help spread pressure.
- Keep Skin Clean and Dry: Clean and dry skin stays stronger and healthier.
- Check the Skin Daily: Look for early signs of redness or irritation.
- Eat Nutritious Meals: Protein and vitamins help the skin stay healthy.
- Drink Enough Water: Hydrated skin is stronger and heals faster.
- Reduce Friction and Shear: Lift the person. Do not drag them.
- Treat Health Conditions: Better circulation lowers the risk of sores.
- Ensure Proper Care in Facilities: Good staff training prevents most pressure ulcers.
Are Bedsores a Sign of Neglect?
In many cases, yes. Bedsores often happen when someone does not receive the basic care they need.
Caregivers must:
- Reposition the person
- Check the skin
- Keep the person clean
- Provide meals and water
- Prevent friction and moisture
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.
How Can a South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Help?
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.
Help is just one call away. We can be reached by chat, text, email, or call. Contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood for a free case review today!
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Final Thoughts
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
