Common Elderly Diseases

There are four Pressure Sores grading. It is important that the four degrees to be considered as four different forms of pressure ulcers, and not as the phases which are necessarily consecutive.

pressure ulcer stage 1 to stage 4 image

Pressure ulcers in some patients may begin as a blister or a superficial or even deep pressure ulcers (eg a black necroseplek to the heel). Sometimes a blister immediately evolve into a black necroseplek (deep pressure ulcers).

Pressure Sores Grading and Stages

Grade 1: Non-blanchable redness

Grade 1 is a non-blanchable redness of intact skin. This may be accompanied by discoloration of the skin, warmth, edema, or hardening of the tissue. Clinically it is in individuals with pale skin visible as a zone delineated with permanent redness.

With a dark skin it is an observable, pressure related alteration of intact skin that can be associated with a change in one or several characteristics:

• skin temperature (higher or lower than the surrounding skin);
• tissue consistency (solid or week);
• sensitivity (pain, itching).
• Again drawing a delineated area with permanent red, blue or purple hues.
• If the thumb is pressed against the skin discoloration, it can not be printed white.

To distinguish between blanchable redness (no ulcers) and non-blanchable redness (bedsores), a transparent disc (a disc pressure) used. Such a disc comprises a transparent, rounded piece of plastic with a diameter of approximately 5 cm (for example, key-ring, magnifying glass, …). It allows you to put pressure on the skin and simultaneously observing the skin or white can be printed or not.

Grade 2: Blister or open blister

Grade 2 in the pressure sores grading is a superficial skin defect and that epidermis / dermis or concerns. The ulcer is superficial. Clinically, this degree is characterized as a blister or blisters burst open

Grade 3: Superficial decubitus

Grade 3 is a skin defect with damage or necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue that may extend to the underlying fascia, but not below. Clinically, it is visible as a crater, with or without undermining adjacent the tissue.

Grade 4: Deep decubitus

Grade 4 is an extensive degradation, tissue necrosis and / or damage to muscle, bone or supporting tissues with or without damage to the epidermis and dermis. Undermining of the tissue or sinusoidal injuries are possible

If you have an elderly parent, you should recognize these pressure sores grading.

What are the decubitus ulcer classification? Well, you’re in luck because we are here to give you the stages of the disease commonly known as bed sore or pressure ulcer. Before we continue, we are going to explain a bit about what is decubitus ulcer a.k.a. bed sore a.k.a. pressure ulcer.

After that, we’re going to talk a bit about the decubitus ulcer cause and then we’ll go to the decubitus ulcer classification and stages. We are also giving you some tips and guidance on what to do in each pressure ulcer stages. So you don’t have to worry.

Wait no more and hit the jump button to see the complete post on decubitus ulcer classification! Continue reading ‘Decubitus Ulcer Classification – Pressure Ulcer Stages’ »