What Are Leg Ulcers?
Leg ulcers are breaks in the layers of skin on the legs that can become inflamed. If they don’t heal, they are referred to as chronic leg ulcers, which most often affect older people and those with diabetes. Leg ulceration is caused mainly by poor blood circulation, but other causes include injuries, skin conditions, vascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack, tumors and infections. Diabetic leg ulcers form because of blood circulation issues and nerve damage. When blood circulation leads to an ulcer in the legs, it is known as either an arterial leg ulcer or a venous leg ulcer. Arterial leg ulcers are less common, and symptoms include pain when the legs are resting, cold feet and legs and a white or blue coloring somewhere on the leg. These ulcers are caused by poor circulation due to the build-up of fat and cholesterol in the arteries. Arterial leg ulcers are also affected by smoking, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. To prevent this
Leg ulcers skin loss on the leg or foot due to any cause. They occur in association with a range of disease processes, most commonly with blood circulation diseases. Leg ulcers may be acute or chronic. Acute ulcers are sometimes defined as those that follow the normal phases of healing; they are expected to show signs of healing in less than 4 weeks and include traumatic and postoperative wounds. Chronic ulcers are those that persist for longer than 4 weeks and are often of complex poorly understood origin. Ulcers may be provoked by injury or pressure such as from a plaster cast or ill-fitting ski boot. They may also be caused by bacterial infection, especially impetigo, ecthyma and cellulitis and less often tuberculosis or leprosy. Chronic leg ulceration affects about 1% of the middle-aged and elderly population. It most commonly occurs after a minor injury in association with: • Chronic venous insufficiency (45-80%) • Chronic arterial insufficiency (5-20%) • Diabetes (15-25%) Chronic
A Leg ulcer is an open wound or sore that can be found on the lower extremities, namely the leg, but these lesions can go as far down as the feet and ankles.90% percent of these skin ulcerations are caused by venous insufficiency, otherwise known as varicose ulcers. Another five percent are the result of arterial (ischemic) disease. This leaves a remaining five percent, where myriads of other causes, like Neurotrophic (diabetic) attributed ulcers, exist. The appearance of the ulcer, the ulcer location, and the surrounding skin of the ulcer often define venous stasis ulcers, Arterial and Leg ulcers. What are the symptoms of leg ulcers? The symptoms of legs ulcers may not be particularly painful, but they can be very uncomfortable. Common symptoms include swelling in the leg, as well as burning or itching. There could be a rash, redness, brown discoloration or dry, scaly skin, particularly around the inside of the ankle. The leg ulcer may also be covered with yellow fibrous tissue or the
The word “ulcer” means a break in the layer of cells forming a surface. Ulcers can occur on any area of the body and have many causes. Ulcers occur when the skin breaks down allowing air and bacteria to get into the underlying tissue. They usually form as scabs or open wounds with redness and swelling of the surrounding area, most commonly on the lower legs and/or feet.
