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Symptoms of Pressure ulcers
Unrelieved pressure on a specific area of the body (eg the heels , the hips) will affect the blood supply to the skin and underlying tissues causing that area to become damaged. Mild tissue damage results in skin discolouration, giving a brown or purple appearance. This may look darker if the skin is very fair.
More severe pressure ulcers can expose muscle and even bone. The area around the dead tissue will look red and inflamed and may become infected.
There are four recognised grades of pressure ulcers
- GRADE 1: The pressure ulcer is beginning to develop and the skin around the area will start to turn red. If a glass is pressed on the area the redness does not disappear as with healthy body tissue.
- GRADE 2: The skin may break or blister and the skin around it will look irritated and inflamed.
- GRADE 3: Damage to the body tissue begins to develop and the sore becomes more than a surface wound as it affects the tissue underneath the skin. At this stage the sore will have a crater-like appearance.
- GRADE 4: The ulcer has eroded deeply, causing damage to body tissue, bone, muscle, tendons and joints. The risk of infection is much higher at this stage.
