DEFINITION

Decubitus ulcer is an area of skin that cracks down when you stay in one position for a long time without shifting your bodyweight. It can happen if you use a wheelchair or you are bedridden, even for a short duration of time (for example, after operation or an injury). The constant stress against the skin decrease the blood supply to that area, and the exaggerated tissue dies.

Decubitus ulcer starts as reddened skin but gets gradually worse, which forms a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater.

The common place for this pressure ulcers are over the joints like the elbow, heels, hips, ankles, shoulders, back, and the back of the head.

SYMPTOMS

Pressure sores are classified by severity. When the reddened area on the skin develops it means pressure ulcer is starting after that the skin blister open sore. The region around the sore becomes red and irritated. The open skin now looks like hole, where there is damage, below the skin and to the muscles and bones.

CAUSES

There are some certain factors which increases risk for pressure ulcers like old age, unable to move certain parts of your body without help as after by brain injury, malnutrietion,bedridden for a long time, Suffering from chronic condition, such as diabetes or vascular disease.
Sometimes moisture next to the skin for long periods of time can cause skin irritation which can lead to skin breakdown.

TREATMENT
Consult your Doctor if there is any open sore or blister on the skin or any sign of an infection because it can spread to the rest of the body and cause serious problems. There are different sign of infected ulcer as a foul odor from the ulcer ,redness around the ulcer, fever and weakness.