Easy Read

Pressure sores: easy read guide

Information for patients, carers and relatives

Easy read pressure sore cover image. Man in bed with point showing where pressure sores are most likely to occur.
An illustration of a happy man holding an easy read leaflet with his thumbs up.

Easy read

This is an easy read version of a leaflet called ‘Pressure Ulcers’.

This information uses easy words and pictures.

You might want to ask someone to help you read it.

What is a pressure sore?

It is when your skin gets red, sore or breaks down into a wound

Pressure sores are caused by sitting or lying still for too long.

Pressure sores need looking after carefully at home or in hospital.

Pressure sores can happen on your bony places like your elbows, knees, heels, bottom and back.

They can even happen under things like plaster casts or oxygen masks.

Who can get pressure sores?

Illustration of a range of people, men, women of diverse ethnicity and ages.

Anybody can have pressure sores.

Illustration of a person in bed.

People who can’t move very much can get pressure sores.

Picture of takeaway food: pizza, burger and curry.

People who don’t eat and drink well can get pressure sores.

Illustration of an overweight woman

People are more at risk if they are overweight or underweight.

Illustration of a leg with an ulcer on above the heel

People are more at risk is they already have a pressure sore.

Illustration of a person with a plaster cast on their leg.

People are more at risk if they have a change in how their skin feels.

Or how they move.

What to look for

Illustration showing where patches of red or purple skin could be on a person in a wheelchair.

Red or purple patches on the skin

Image of a blister on the heel of a foot

Blisters on the skin

Illustration of a pointed finger touching a leg and a pointer indicating the skin is hard rather than normal

Hard areas of skin

Illustration of leg showing hot and cold patches. Image of a thermometer at the side with snowflake icon for cold and sun icon for hot.

Patches of hot or cold skin

Illustration showing an area on a leg that is swollen and painful

Swollen and painful areas of skin

Illustration of a patient talking to a nurse

Tell staff or see a doctor if you think you have a pressure sore

What can help to stop pressure sores and what can help if you have pressure sores?

Illustration of a person talking into someones ear

Listen to your doctor or nurse

person sitting on a chair doing leg exercises

Walk about or move your legs and body every 2 hours if you can

Man on bed with crosses by heels and elbows

Do not rub your heels and elbows or dig them into the bed.

Person on flor or bed doing leg exercises

Moving from side to side and stretching your arms and legs can help if you need to stay in bed.

person eating a healthy meal with salad, fruit and a glass of water

Eat healthy food and drink plenty of fluids. Water is good for you.

person in towel drying themselves after a shower

Keep your skin clean and dry.

Illustration of a person talking

If you are worried talk to your nurse or doctor.

illustration of a doctor talking to a patient

Your nurse or doctor will tell you if you need treatment.

Your nurse, family member or carer will:

Picture with arrows indicating where to check your skin

Check your skin regularly.

image of a patient with a nurse helping them to do some leg movements

Help you move around if needed.

image of a wheelchair and a cushion to go on it.

May give you special equipment such as an air mattress or a wheelchair cushion.

easy on the eye logo

Some of the images in this information resource have been taken from the ‘easy on the i’ image bank. Copyright ©LYPFFT. The remaining images were created by Medical Illustration ©BTHFT.

People with hearing and speech difficulties

You can contact us using the Relay UK app. Textphone users will need to dial 18001 before the number to be contacted.

Accessible Information

If you need this information in another format or language, please ask a member of staff.

Smoking

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.

Wristbands

When you are in hospital it is essential to wear a wristband at all times to make sure you are safe during your stay. The wristband will show accurate details about you on it including all the information that staff need to identify you correctly and give you the right care.

If you do not have a wristband whilst in hospital, then please ask a member of staff for one. If it comes off or is uncomfortable, ask a member of staff to replace it.