Often, yes. Stage I or II sores will often heal if cared for carefully. That’s more encouraging than for any other stage.
Often, and if cared for carefully. Both halves matter. Here’s what careful means for a stage II sore.
Cleaning. Clean the area with salt water, also called saline, and rinse to remove loose, dead tissue. Your provider may recommend a specific cleanser instead. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or iodine cleansers unless directed by your provider, as they can damage the skin. Clean the sore every time you change a dressing.
Covering. Keep the area covered with a dressing. This protects against infection and helps keep the sore moist so it can heal. Depending on the size and stage, you may use a film, gauze, gel, foam, or another type. Talk with your provider about which one.
Pressure. Use pillows, foam cushions, booties or mattress pads to reduce the pressure, chosen with a provider based on the wound and whether the person is in bed or in a wheelchair. Change positions often: about every 2 hours in bed, every 15 minutes in a wheelchair. No donut-shaped or ring-shaped cushions.
Everything else. Avoid slipping or sliding when moving. Avoid positions that put pressure on the sore. Do not massage the skin near or on the ulcer. Care for healthy skin by keeping it clean and moisturized. Check the skin for pressure sores every day. Eat healthy foods, avoid smoking, lose excess weight, get plenty of sleep.
That’s a long list for a wound that often heals, and that’s the honest shape of it. Healing at home is realistic for a stage II sore; doing nothing is not the same thing as caring for it carefully.
The line is drawn at the next stage up: most stage III and IV sores will be treated by your provider.