What Does a Bedsore Look Like?

When someone spends an extended amount of time in one position, it can lead to a bedsore. These wounds are painful and dangerous. Often, they develop in individuals with limited mobility, such as bedridden patients, wheelchair users, or those who are unable to change positions easily.

What does a bedsore look like? At My Nursing Home Abuse Guide, we want to provide answers so you can determine the next step. Let’s examine what these sores will look like at every stage of the process.

Bedsores at Each Stage

According to data from Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than one in 10 nursing home residents have suffered from a bedsore. Medical staff and caregivers need to take steps to prevent these sores from developing. But unfortunately, they can occur. Knowing the stage of the wound is vital to develop a treatment plan.

There are four stages of bedsores. As the wound does not receive treatment, it will progress and continue to cause damage to the skin, muscles, and bones. In some cases, these wounds can lead to life-threatening infections. Here is what you can expect at different stages of pressure injuries:

Stage 1

In the earliest stage, a bedsore may appear to be red. At this point, with the proper treatment for bedsores, any damage can be reversed. The skin is still intact, but there’s noticeable redness or discoloration, especially over bony areas.

The redness does not fade when pressed, which often indicates that the area is not receiving enough blood flow. Also, the area may feel warmer or cooler than surrounding skin. Patients with bedsores might have mild discomfort, itching, or tenderness.

Stage 2

If the bedsore is not treated, the wound will progress to Stage 2. At this point, there will be an open wound. It may look like a shallow ulcer, blister, or abrasion. The area often displays redness, along with swelling around the open sore. There may also be weeping from the wound.

Patients may have some pain associated with the bedsore. Caretakers or nursing home staff members need to properly clean and care for this wound to prevent any infection.

Stage 3

While bedsores at Stages 1 and 2 are treatable and often leave no permanent damage, wounds at Stage 3 are a little different. Now, the damage has extended beyond the skin into deeper layers of tissue. The risk of infection increases since the sore has become deeper and more difficult to treat.

The wound begins to look like a crater. Most of the top layers of the skin are damaged. The sore may already have entered the fatty layer below the skin. At this stage, you could see yellowish dead tissue, known as slough, at the base of the wound.

The edges of the sore will be raised, while the tissue inside the wound may feel soft or mushy. Since there is dead tissue, the sore will have a foul odor. Those with these wounds will start to feel increased pain and swelling. There may also be signs of pus around the sore.

At this stage, there needs to be more aggressive medical treatment. Many times, the patient will receive extensive wound cleaning and antibiotics. In extreme cases, they may need surgery.

Stage 4

At this stage, bedsores are putting the patient’s life at risk. Most likely, the wounds have now destroyed the skin, tissue, muscle, and bone. There is also an increased risk of sepsis, which can spread throughout the body.

Now, the sore will be large and deep. Often, you can see muscles, bones, and tendons. Dead tissues will surround the opening, and the wound could be covered in yellow or green slough. In these cases, the individual will be in severe pain. There will also be signs of an infection, such as a fever, pus, and foul odor.

Stage 4 bedsores require immediate medical attention. Often, bedsore treatment will include surgery to remove dead tissue, wound care, antibiotics, and even reconstructive surgery.

Unstageable Bedsores

In some cases, a bedsore may be “unstageable.” In these cases, the wound is covered by dead tissue or a scab-like material, and it may be difficult to tell the bedsore’s stage. Unstageable bedsores are considered serious and require immediate medical intervention.

How Do You Know If the Wound Is Infected?

Any bedsore that has broken the skin is at risk for infection. Even a mild bedsore can become infected if the individual does not receive the proper medical care. Some of these signs can include:

• Increased pain or tenderness
• Swelling or redness around the sore
• Pus or discharge coming from the wound
• A foul smell emanating from the area
• Fever or chills

If you suspect an infection, seek medical care immediately. Infections from bedsores can quickly spread to the bloodstream and lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

A bedsore’s appearance depends on its stage of progression. Sometimes, there is only mild redness in Stage 1, but Stage 4 bedsores can have deep, open wounds. With the right care, bedsores can be prevented or treated in their early stages.

In these cases, it is up to the nursing home or hospital staff to make sure their patients never suffer from a bedsore. If your loved one has developed an open wound, it could be due to neglect or mistreatment in a nursing home or long-term living facility. In these cases, you may want to reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer to learn about your legal options.