What are symptoms of bedsores? And, are there different types or degrees of bedsore injuries?

A: Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, fall into one of 4 stages or categories based on their severity. According to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, which is a professional organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of pressure sores, the following is a description or definition of each stage:

    •    Stage I: A pressure sore begins as a persistent area of red skin that may itch or hurt and feel warm and spongy or firm to the touch. In people with darker skin, the mark may appear to have a blue or purple cast, or look flaky or ashen.

    •    Stage II: At this stage, some skin loss has already occurred — either in the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis), the skin's deeper layer (the dermis), or in both. The wound is now an open sore that looks like a blister or an abrasion, and the surrounding tissues may show red or purple discoloration.

    •    Stage III: By the time a pressure ulcer reaches this stage, the damage has extended to the tissue below the skin, creating a deep and crater-like wound.

    •    Stage IV: This is the most serious and advanced stage. A large-scale loss of skin occurs, along with damage to underlying muscle, bone, and even supporting structures such as tendons and joints.