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Treatment - Pressure ulcers (pressure sores)

Treatments for pressure ulcers (sores) include regularly changing your position, using special mattresses to reduce or relieve pressure, and dressings to help heal the ulcer. Surgery may sometimes be needed.

Changing position

Moving and regularly changing your position helps to relieve the pressure on ulcers that have already developed. It also helps prevent pressure ulcers form.

After your care team has assessed your risk of developing pressure ulcers, they'll draw up a repositioning timetable. This states how often you need to move, or be moved if you're unable to do so yourself.

For some people, this may be as often as once every 15 minutes. Others may need to be moved only once every 2 to 4 hours.

You may also be given training and advice about:

  • correct sitting and lying positions
  • how you can adjust your sitting and lying positions
  • how best to support your feet to relieve pressure on your heels
  • any special equipment you need and how to use it

Mattresses and cushions

If you're at risk of getting pressure ulcers or have a minor ulcer, your care team will recommend a specially designed static foam or dynamic mattress.

If you have a more serious ulcer, you'll need a more sophisticated mattress or bed system, such as a mattress connected to a pump that delivers a constant flow of air into the mattress.

There is also a range of foam or pressure-redistributing cushions available. Ask your carer about the types most suitable for you.

However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says there's limited evidence about what types of pressure-redistributing devices are best for the relief and prevention of pressure ulcers in different places, such as heels or hips.

Dressings

Specially designed dressings can be used to protect pressure ulcers and speed up the healing process.

These include:

  • alginate dressings – these are made from seaweed and contain sodium and calcium, which are known to speed up the healing process
  • hydrocolloid dressings – contain a gel that encourages the growth of new skin cells in the ulcer, while keeping the surrounding healthy skin dry
  • other dressing types – such as foams, films, hydrofibres/gelling fibres, gels and antimicrobial (antibiotic) dressings may also be used

Ask your carer about which type of dressing they're using to manage your pressure ulcer.

Gauze dressings are not recommended for either the prevention or treatment of pressure ulcers.

Creams and ointments

Topical antiseptic or antimicrobial (antibiotic) creams and ointments are not usually recommended for treating pressure ulcers.

But barrier creams may be needed to protect skin that's been damaged or irritated by incontinence. 

Antibiotics

Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat an infected ulcer or if you have a serious infection, such as:

Diet and nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet that contains enough protein and a good variety of vitamins and minerals can speed up the healing process.

If your diet is poor, you may need to see a dietitian. They can draw up a suitable dietary plan for you.

It's also important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, because being dehydrated can slow down the healing process.

Removing damaged tissue (debridement)

It may sometimes be necessary to remove dead tissue from the pressure ulcer to help it heal. This is known as debridement.

If there's a small amount of dead tissue, it may be removed using specially designed dressings.

Larger amounts of dead tissue may be removed using:

  • high-pressure water jets
  • ultrasound
  • surgical instruments, such as scalpels and forceps

A local anaesthetic should be used to numb the area around the ulcer so debridement (if not being treated with a dressing) does not cause you any pain.

Surgery

Severe pressure ulcers might not heal on their own. If this is the case surgery may be needed to seal the wound, speed up healing, and minimise the risk of infection.

Surgical treatment involves:

  • cleaning the wound and closing it by bringing the edges of the ulcer together
  • cleaning the wound and using tissue from healthy skin nearby to close the ulcer

Pressure ulcer surgery can be challenging, especially because most people who have the procedure are already in a poor state of health. 

Risks after surgery include:

Ask your surgeon about the benefits and risks of surgery if it's recommended for you.

Page last reviewed: 15 April 2020
Next review due: 15 April 2023