Wound Stages

A wound is characterized as an injury to any living tissue, but the word is most often used to describe an injury which has caused a break in the skin. Wounds fall under different categories depending on the severity of the injury. Knowing what type of wound you have will help you determine how to treat the wound.

Stage 1

• A stage 1 wound is the least severe of all of wound types. This wound is characterized by the lack of any break in the skin. The area around the wound may be slightly discolored and it may be tender to the touch. The area around the wound may be warmer or harder than the surrounding skin. This would does not penetrate into the skin very deeply.

Stage 2

• Stage 2 wounds are the first wounds which show openings in the skin. With this wound, the topmost layers of skin are severed but the wound itself is not deep enough to penetrate the fatty layers under the skin. Sufferers of this wound also may see some draining of fluid (such as blood or pus) as the wound heals. You can usually treat these wounds at home, but seek a doctor's care if the wound is very large.

Stage 3

• Stage 3 is the wound stage in which serious damage begins to occur. The wounds of this stage not only break the skin, but they also go down into the fatty layer under the skin. This wound is also the first type which might have some dead tissue. Stage 3 wounds almost always have fluid drainage. If you receive one of these wounds, see a doctor so it can be closed up and heal correctly.

Stage 4

• Stage 4 wounds are the most serious type of wounds. These wounds go all the way through the skin and the fatty tissue to expose bone and muscle. These wounds will always have some sort of dead tissue and drainage associated with them. Stage 4 wounds will need a doctor’s immediate attention and may require surgery.