What is a stage 1 pressure area?
A stage 1 pressure area is identified as a change caused by pressure to intact skin. When the area is compared to other skin close to it, the changes that can be seen or felt may include one or more of the following:
- skin temperature (warmth or coolness)
- tissue consistency (firm or boggy feel)
- sensation (pain or itching)
- blanching.
It is important to observe the resident’s skin over a period of about 30 minutes if you think a pressure area may be developing. If the skin change persists, then treatment may be required.
The pressure area appears as a defined area of constant redness in lightly pigmented skin, whereas in darker skin tones, the area may appear with persistent red, blue or purple hues.
In this picture you can observe the redness that has developed on the skin. There is noticeable redness compared to the surrounding skin. There may be a change in the skin temperature (hotter or cooler than the surrounding skin). The person may feel that the area is itchy or painful.Stage 1 pressure areas involve the outer layers of the skin.
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