How can I identify bedsores (Pressure sores)?

Condition analysis:
Pressure sores vary wildly in severity. Although bed sores typically develop below the waist, they can be found in any area of the body. The affected area may appear red and will likely feel warm to touch. A pressure sore is very sensitive and painful when touched. There are four different stages of pressure sores which help health care providers assess the severity of the sore. However, pressure sores should never really develop past stage II. If pressure sores develop past stage III and IV; the pressure sores are often indicative of negligence.

Stage I - In the first stage, the skin is not broken around the sore, but may appear red. The site will likely feel tender or painful compared to the surrounding skin.

Stage II - When a sore progresses to the second stage, the outermost layer of the skin on the sore will be damaged or even lost. A shallow wound may also start to develop, which will look like a blister.

Stage III - A stage III pressure sore is a relatively deep wound. The affected area will look crater-like and will usually have dead tissue at the bottom of the wound. The damage may even extend beyond the primary wound to layers of healthy skin. The ulcer presents clinically as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue

Stage IV - At stage IV, the wound will expose muscle, bone, or tendons. The bottom of the wound will contain dead tissue that will appear darkened.

Unstageable - Pressure sores that are covered with dead and darkened tissue are considered "unstageable" because it is impossible to judge how deep the wound is.

Instructions:
Clean the Sore: Bedsores need to be regularly cleaned to promote healing. Removal of any dead skin is also important. Antiseptics can damage the skin and slow down the healing process, which makes a warm saline solution (salt water) a suitable choice. You can create a cleansing solution for bedsores by mixing two cups of water and two to three tablespoons of table salt. Allow the salt to dissolve in the water before transferring to a squeeze bottle. Apply the salt-water solution over bedsores – making sure to place a clean towel under the affected skin to catch excess water.