AVOIDING PRESSURE WOUNDS
02/14/2026
Remember, prolonged pressure on the skin damages underlying tissue, especially on the bony parts of your body where you don't have a lot of skin: heels, ankles, elbows, hips, shoulder blades, and the tailbone.
A pressure ulcer shows up as a red mark on the skin. Red, unbroken skin can quickly become a deep injury involving muscle and bone which takes months, and in some cases years to heal.
How do we avoid pressure wounds?
In bed, roll to the side or even partially to one side. Wedge a pillow under your back to keep pressure off the tailbone
Change positions for pressure relief every few hours. Later, when you are able to transfer to a chair, use features to frequently lean and tilt into different positions.
Don't lay on pads in bed. Use a draw sheet to be moved in bed, and disposable incontinence pads only.
Use a mattress designed to provide pressure relief.
Don't cover wounds that aren't open unless otherwise instructed by doctor.
Keep skin clean and dry.
Put pillows under your calves to float your heels in bed or use protective foot-drop prevention boots.
Check skin daily. Push on red mark and make sure it blanches (turns white for a second) when you remove pressure
If a red mark persists for 48 hours, involve a wound doctor.
Always use an alternating air mattress. Always sit on a wheelchair seat designated to relieve pressure. Perform pressure shifts throughout the day by leaning back in your wheelchair.
Pressure wounds are a big deal. Quadriplegics who have won the fight with pressure wounds recommend using DermaWound, an iodine based solution that yields incredible results when used as directed. You can buy an 8 ounce tub at a really affordable price at dermawound.com. Make sure to use as directed! We also like Medihoney, silver nitrate, calcium alginate, collagen powder and stem cell therapy. See what your health insurance will approve.
Consuming enough protein is very important for healing as well. We like products like Prostat and Juven.