The Four Stages of a Bed Sore

A bed sore is an injury that affects not only the skin, but also the underlying tissue. They can be mild, causing only a slight reddening of the skin, but they can also be extremely serious, leading to severe tissue damage. In some extreme instances, it can lead to an infection that affects muscles and bones. Here is some information on the four stages of this problem.

Stage 1

A stage 1 bed sore has not reached the point to where it is an open wound. It may cause painful skin, but there are no visible tears or breaks. The affected area will be reddish, but it will not blanch, or momentarily lose color when you press it. It will often feel warmer than other areas of the skin, and may feel firmer or softer. In darker-skinned people, the sore may look to be a different color than the skin that surrounds it.

Stage 2

This is the point where the skin starts to either break open, form a tender, painful ulcer, or wear away. The bed sore will start expanding into deeper layers, and look similar to a blister or an abrasion. It will often look like a blister that is filled with clear fluid. Damage to skin may occur that cannot be repaired.

Stage 3

At stage 3, the problem has progressed even further, where the sore starts to form a small crater because it has expanded so deeply into skin tissue. Fat may even be visible.

Stage 4

The bed sore is not only extremely deep at this stage, it is also causing a great deal of damage to bone and muscle. There is also a chance that joints, tendons and tissue can suffer extensive damage. Severe complications may ensue if the sore is not properly treated.

The experts with DFW Wound Care Center have a great deal of experience in bed sore treatment, no matter what stage it may have progressed. Please contact us online or call 972-665-6292 (Plano) or 972-318-2383 (Lewisville) to schedule an appointment.