A pressure sore (bed sore) is an injury to the skin and/or the
tissues under the skin, caused primarily by constant pressure.
People confined to a bed or chair and unable to move are at
greatest risk for developing pressure sores, which form most
often in bony areas such as the hips, heels, or tailbone.
Pressure sores develop when constant pressure reduces blood
supply to an area of skin and tissue. Oxygen and nutrients
carried by the blood cannot reach the cells in the tissue,
causing the cells to die. Pressure sores can range from mild
reddening of the skin to severe tissue damage that extends into
muscle and bone. These sores are difficult to treat and slow to
heal. For people who are confined to a bed or chair or are
unable to move, changing positions frequently and distributing
body weight evenly will relieve pressure on any one area of
skin. Eating a balanced diet with adequate protein promotes
healthy skin, as does keeping skin clean and free of body fluids
or feces. Moisturizing dry skin with good-qua