open sores
Raw, weeping injuries
Open sores are wounds or lesions on the skin that haven't healed—raw, exposed areas that may weep, bleed, or become infected.
The phrase often appears in descriptions of disease, neglect, or decay: The patient had open sores on his legs.
Figuratively, open sores can describe persistent, unresolved problems: The abandoned factory is an open sore on the neighborhood.
- ulcerErosive tissue wound
- pressure ulcerTissue damage from compression
- pussInformal word for cat
- painBodily or emotional distress
- antibioticsBacteria-destroying medicines
abscess · skin · hygiene · dermis · lesion · chancre · bedsore · road rash · wound · discharge · antiseptics · suppurating · inflammation · fissure · scarring · blister · bandages · ointments