Bedsores occur when pressure prevents the free flow of blood through the skin. When this pressure blocks oxygen from the affected area, sores can quickly form. These legions can occur in a matter of hours, quickly growing in severity. In fact, there are four stages of bedsores, with Stage 1 being the least severe and Stage 4 being the most severe.
Stage 1
A Stage 1 bedsore is the mildest form of pressure wound. These typically affect only the outermost layer of skin. These injuries can cause spots of pain, itching, or burning.
Stage 2
When a bedsore reaches beyond the external layer of skin, it is classified as Stage 2. At this point, the bedsore results in an open wound or blister. Stage 2 bedsores are notably painful.
Stage 3
A bedsore reaches Stage three when goes through all of the skin layers and into the layer of fat below. The wounds can be large and have visible signs of infection, including redness and swelling.
Stage 4
The most dramatic stage of bedsores, Stage 4 wounds are gaping, often reaching to the muscles and ligaments below the site of the wound. In the worst-case scenario, muscle or bone could be visible.