Pressure Sores

Pressure sores, also called bedsores or pressure ulcers, can develop when you are confined to a bed or chair. When you rarely move, your body weight restricts the blood flow to your arms, legs, neck and back. Skin cells in these areas may deteriorate until a sore appears.

People who use wheelchairs for much of the day or who must stay in bed for long stretches of time are most vulnerable to this type of injury. Pressure sores tend to surface on parts of the body where the skin is mashed between a bone and the mattress. They can begin to develop rapidly, sometimes in as little as several hours without movement.

Symptoms

 

Pressure sores are found on areas of the skin that are closest to bone and have little fat to pad them. These areas include elbows, ankles, the back and shoulders. The symptoms of pressure sores are listed below:

• Red, blue or purplish patches on the body that don't blanch or turn white when touched.
• Blisters and open sores
• Skin that may feel warm, turns darker, smells bad and looks swollen
• Red, soft patch of skin that stays red for 30 minutes even after the pressure is relieved

In the worst cases, pressure sores can become life threatening. This is why it is crucial to contact a health care professional at the first sign of a pressure sore.

Contact Us:

801-581-7719

Cori A. Agarwal, M.D.

Locations

Madsen Health Center	(801) 587-4830
University Hospital	(801) 587-4830

Specialties: Breast Surgery, Flap Surgery, Head & Neck Reconstruction, Oculoplastic & Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic, Plastic Surgery, Facial, Plastic Surgery, Laser, Trunk & Extremity Reconstruction, Wound Healing

Jayant Agarwal, M.D.

Locations

Huntsman Cancer Hospital	(801) 585-2318
University Hospital	(801) 585-2318

Specialties: Breast Surgery, Flap Surgery, Head & Neck Reconstruction, Microsurgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Facial, Plastic Surgery, Hand Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery, Trunk & Extremity Reconstruction, Wound Healing

Courtney H. Crombie, M.D.

Locations

Madsen Health Center	(801) 581-3271
University Hospital	(801) 581-3271

Specialties: Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic, Plastic Surgery, Facial, Trunk & Extremity Reconstruction, Wound Healing

Jaron McMullin, M.D.

Locations

PCMC Outpatient Services at Riverton	(801) 585-2639
South Jordan Health Center	(801) 585-2639
University Hospital	(801) 585-2639

Specialties: Breast Surgery, Flap Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic, Plastic Surgery, Facial, Plastic Surgery, Hand Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Laser, Trunk & Extremity Reconstruction, Wound Healing

W. Bradford Rockwell, M.D.

Locations

Madsen Health Center	(801) 585-3253
University Hospital	(801) 585-3253

Specialties: Breast Surgery, Flap Surgery, Frostbite, Microsurgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic, Plastic Surgery, Facial, Plastic Surgery, Hand Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Laser, Trunk & Extremity Reconstruction, Wound Healing