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verystressedout Asked August 2023

What’s it called when an elderly person has a bruise (which can get infected) from lying down too much, and not being rotated?

What’s that bruise called?

JoAnn29 Aug 2023
My DD calls them pressure points. They aren't sore, I don't think, until the skin becomes an opened wound.
cwillie Aug 2023
Technically that would be a stage one pressure ulcer

"Stage 1 pressure injuries are not open wounds. The skin may be painful, but it has no breaks or tears. The skin appears reddened and does not blanch (lose colour briefly when you press your finger on it and then remove your finger). In a dark-skinned person, the area may appear to be a different colour than the surrounding skin, but it may not look red. Skin temperature is often warmer. And the stage 1 injury can feel either firmer or softer than the area around it."
verystressedout Aug 2023
Thanks! Have no fear, everyone. Nothing’s going on. I just couldn’t remember the word.

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Grandma1954 Aug 2023
Grandma1954 8/4/23 4:01 pm
If it is a skin discoloration and not an actual "bruise" it is probably a pressure sore (aka, old term "bed sore")
These can progress rapidly.
There is one that if it develops in the lower back, upper buttock area called a Kennedy Ulcer that usually indicates End of Life is near.

There are times when even the fold of a sheet, a wrinkle can cause a red mark on the skin. Even a wrinkle in clothing will cause a red mark. this is why it is important to smooth sheets, blankets, clothing.

A proper mattress can help prevent some pressure sores. The mattress should be an alternating pressure mattress. These have tubes of air that fill and deflate so that there is no pressure on any one area for very long.

Pressure sores require IMEDIATE attention.

verystressedout Aug 2023
Thanks! That’s the word I was looking for.

cwillie Aug 2023
The thing to remember with pressure ulcers is they are like icebergs, the damage below the skin is much greater than the part you can see.

Riverdale Aug 2023
It is more than a bruise or can quickly develop into a bedsore which then can result into different stages which should be avoided if possible.

funkygrandma59 Aug 2023
It's called a bedsore or pressure ulcer.

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