NCIC’s team of community tissue viability nurses have issued some sound advice as to how you and your loved ones can avoid pressure ulcers – keep moving!
A pressure ulcer is an area of damaged skin caused by pressure or shearing: it may also be known as a bedsore. 
The community tissue viability nurses from NCIC want to share advice before pressure ulcers become severe.
Salli Pilcher, Community Lead Nurse at NCIC, said: “Pressure ulcers can develop by sitting or lying in one position for too long without moving, or from any medical devices you or your family member may be using.
“If there is prolonged pressure to an area, blood cannot circulate causing a lack of oxygen and nutrition to the skin. If the pressure continues, then damage can occur very quickly.
“If you or your family member don’t move, or are unable to move, or have reduced sensation you may develop changes to skin such as a red or purple area which can become sore, patches that have become very hard, patches that are soft or boggy or patches that are darker than they may usually be.
“Pressure ulcers can have a massive impact on your quality of life and in the most severe cases can result in death.”
It’s estimated that just under half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure ulcer in any given year.
Early signs of a pressure ulcer
Redness, discomfort, pain, patches of hard skin, blue/purple patches, blisters or visible skin damage or areas that are cool or hot. For darker skin tones skin changes may identify as hot or cold, hard or boggy areas and new area of darker (not red) skin which looks like a birthmark.
The prolonged pressure disrupts the flow of blood through the skin. Without a blood supply, the affected skin becomes starved of oxygen and nutrients, and begins to break down, leading to an ulcer forming.
Salli added: “Watch the skin for red marks which do not disappear when pressure is removed and if you have any concerns then please contact your GP or a health professional.”
Usually on the parts of the body which take your weight and where the bone is close to the surface, for example your heels, bottom or the back of the head. They can also be caused by medical devices such as plasters casts, oxygen tubing and other medical equipment, rest on the skin for prolonged periods of time. They can take a long time to heal and can be painful. Sometimes they get infected which can lead to sepsis.
A pressure ulcer can develop in only a few hours. If a pressure ulcer isn’t treated quickly it can develop into an open wound and, over a period of time, into a deep hole in the skin.
Pressure ulcers tend to affect people with health conditions that make it difficult to move, especially those confined to lying in a bed or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Patients who have a short episode of acute illness such as chest infection, Covid/flu or urinary infection of whom mobility will be reduced due to illness at this time.
If you need further advice and guidance on pressure ulcer prevention or guidance on how to keep your skin healthy, we have some helpful information about adult pressure ulcers and information about children’s pressure ulcers.