Methods Of Treating A Venous Leg Ulcer And Its Symptoms

Venous leg ulcers are sores that develop on the leg and heal very slowly, typically due to poor circulation through the limb. The sore may persist for only a few weeks, or it may last for years. There are preventative steps you can take to keep from getting them. Venous leg ulcers can cause more serious issues if they're untreated. The condition occurs when the veins in your leg fail to send blood adequately back to your heart. The built-up backflow of blood increases the pressure at the end of your leg, which weakens this skin. In turn, it's more difficult for a scrape or cut to heal. These ulcers often occur on bony areas like the ankle. Learn how to treat venous leg ulcers now.

Clean And Dress The Ulcer

One of the most important first steps is to clean and dress the ulcer. With any abrasion of the skin, you want to make sure the wound is cleaned. Improper wound care can allow bacteria to gather in the wound, which then leads to infection. If your ulcer becomes infected, you might have to take antibiotics to kill the bacteria. To clean the ulcer, run it under cold water with a damp washcloth before using an anti-infection cream. Since the wound breaks the skin, cover it with a bandage. You should be able to find bandages and anti-infection creams at your local drugstore. It's also possible to make homemade bandages by taping down a pad of sterile gauze. As the ulcer takes an increased amount of time to heal, be sure to intermittently replace the bandage and make sure the wound is still clean.

Learn more about how to treat a venous leg ulcer now.