Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment, Symptoms And Diagnosis

Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment, Symptoms and Diagnosis

A venous skin ulcer is a sore on your leg that takes a long time to heal, usually due to poor blood circulation. They can last from a few weeks to several years. You might hear them referred to as “venous leg ulcers” by a doctor or nurse.

If you don’t get them treated, they can lead to more serious problems. However, there are steps you can take to avoid this from occurring.

 

The venous ulcer is the most frequent type of chronic lower limb wound, affecting people all over the world. Venous ulcers develop when the skin on your leg breaks, usually around the ankle. The veins in the leg, which are supposed to return blood to the heart, may not be doing their job properly. That’s because the valves that stop blood from flowing back into the veins aren’t working properly.

 

This blood backflow causes increased pressure at the limb’s end. When this happens, the skin becomes weaker, making it more difficult for a cut or scrape to heal. They’re most common on bony areas like your ankle. An ulcer can sometimes lead to other issues, such as serious skin and bone infections.

 

Chronic venous ulcers have a substantial impact on quality of life and are costly to both the patient and the healthcare system. Exercise, leg elevation, dressings, such as compression treatment, medicines, venous ablation, and surgical intervention can all be used to treat venous ulcers.

 

Venous skin ulcers affect about 1% of the population in the United States. They’re more common in the elderly, especially women. You might also be at risk if you answer yes to one of the following:

  • Have you ever had a leg injury?
  • Do you suffer from varicose veins?
  • Do you smoke?
  • Do you use illicit drugs?
  • Are you overweight?
  • Have you ever had other circulation issues like blood clots or painful swelling of the veins?

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Venous Leg Ulcers?

A venous ulcer is itchy or burns, and the leg surrounding it may swell. Other signs to look for include:

  • A rash or chapped skin
  • Brownish discoloration of the skin below knee
  • The sore is oozing a foul-smelling fluid

 

It is also possible for an ulcer to become infected. If this occurs, you may notice:

  • The skin around the wound is reddened or swollen
  • Increased pain
  • Fever
  • Increased drainage

What is the Diagnosis for Venous Leg Ulcer?

You should see your doctor if you have a wound that isn’t healing or that you suspect is infected. A quick examination of the sore and the skin around it is usually enough to determine whether you have a venous skin ulcer. If you have a history of ongoing conditions like diabetes or artery hardening, your doctor will inquire. Your doctor may, however, order additional tests, such as an X-ray or a CT scan, to examine your veins and the area around the ulcer in greater detail.

How to Treat Venous Leg Ulcer?

A compression bandage or stocking is the most common treatment. The pressure should strengthen your body’s ability to heal the sore by improving blood circulation in your leg.

 

You’ll almost certainly be instructed to raise your leg for specific periods of time. This improves circulation as well. Doctors recommend exercising for a half-hour at a time, three or four times per day.

Antibiotics will almost certainly be prescribed if your ulcer is infected with bacteria. You may also be given a moist dressing to apply to the ulcer to aid in its healing. Your doctor may recommend surgery to improve the circulation in your legs in some cases. This will aid in the healing of your ulcer and may help you avoid future problems.

Prevent Ulcers in the Venous Legs

How To Prevent Venous Legs Ulcers?

Venous skin ulcers can be prevented in a number of ways, including lifestyle changes, diet, and medication. You could:

  • Give up smoking
  • Reduce your weight
  • Control chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes
  • To avoid blood clots, take aspirin
  • Limit the amount of salt you consume in your diet
  • Exercise on a regular basis
  • Compression stockings are recommended
  • When possible, elevate your legs

Human BioSciences, Inc. blog offers education and tips; however,the information provided by this website or company is not a substitute for medical treatment or advice.

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