A small red patch on the skin can look harmless at first. For someone who cannot move easily, that patch can be an early warning sign of deeper damage.
Pressure sores, also called pressure injuries or bedsores, develop when skin and the tissue underneath are pressed for too long. They are most common over bony areas such as the heels, hips, tailbone, elbows, shoulders, and back of the head. They can be painful, slow to heal, and dangerous if infection sets in.
