Bedsores are caused when prolonged pressure is applied on the skin. It is also called as pressure ulcer for this reason. It occurs on people who are confined to bed and are unable to change position on their own. Bedsores occur as skin injury on hips, buttocks and other bony areas. Bedsores develop quickly and are difficult to treat.
Bedsores Stages :
Bedsores are categorized into 4 stages according to the intensity of damage caused to the skin.
Stage 1 :
This is the first stage of bedsores and it is felt as abnormal change in skin temperature. There would be itching and pain due to the development of red pigments on the skin. It appears as small red colored blisters on fair complexioned people and as dark red or blue colored ulcers on dark complexioned people. The skin can be felt either warm or cool and the tissue can be either firm or boggy. First stage of bedsores is to be taken as a warning for caregivers. At this stage it can be treated fully but fast action is required for treatment since bedsores grow rapidly and spreads to other parts.
Stage 2 :
In this stage there will be loss of thickness of the skin. The top layer of the skin called epidermis will peel off during this stage revealing the inner layer of dermis. Ulcerous growth is superficial at this stage and immediate treatment is required. It would be difficult to treat bedsore if it passes beyond this stage. At this stage the blisters look like fluid filled sacs causing intense pain and discomfort.
Stage 3 :
The ulcer or blister becomes deep wound during this stage. The skin thickness will be fully lost during this stage causing death of subcutaneous tissue. The wound or ulcer like growth will appear as deep crater marked with red blisters with black corners. It will be very unpleasant to look and is difficult to treat. It can damage the underlying fascia or connective tissue rapidly causing more and more death of skin.
Stage 4 :
This is the final stage of bedsore and there will be extensive loss of tissue. It will damage the underlying muscles and even bones. The wound will clearly reveal the underlying bone and tissue and it damages the supporting structures like joints and tendons at this stage. Bedsores at this stage cannot be treated and is extremely disgusting to see.