If you are concerned you aren’t properly caring for your wound, if you think it is infected, or if you are unable to care for your wound yourself, our team can help. We offer high-quality wound care services in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Keep reading to learn more about venous ulcers and how to care for them at home, and then call us to make an appointment.
What Are Venous Ulcers & What Causes Them?
Venous ulcers are wounds that take much longer to heal. In some cases, a venous ulcer might not heal at all. It is caused by poor veins and blood flow from the limbs to the heart. Venous ulcers most often form on the legs near the ankle. A venous ulcer can form when there is a problem with your body’s circulatory system. Your circulatory system must transport oxygen-poor blood from your limbs back to your heart. If it can’t do so, the blood will pool in your extremities. This causes pressure in your veins that damages the skin’s delicate tissues, eventually causing an ulcer to form.
What Are Arterial Ulcers & What Causes Them?
An arterial ulcer is a wound that develops when damage to the arteries causes poor blood flow to the tissues. They typically occur in the legs and feet. They heal very slowly due to poor circulation and lack of oxygenation to the wound. Because they don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood, they are also more susceptible to infection. If an arterial ulcer is not properly cared for, there is a risk of complications like tissue death, infection, and amputation.
How Do You Know if You Have a Venous or Arterial Ulcer?
Recognizing leg ulcer symptoms in their early stages can ensure you get the wound care services you need to lower your risk of complications or infection. If you aren’t sure if you have a venous ulcer or arterial ulcer, you can visit your primary care physician, a hospital, or an urgent care center. Diagnosing vascular ulcers requires a physical examination, discussion of your symptoms, and determining the underlying cause of your ulcer. Ulcers can have multiple causes, and the root cause of your ulcer must also be treated. The most common vascular ulcer symptoms are:
- Leg cramping and swelling.
- Hard, thick skin that looks red, purple, or brown.
- A tingling or itching feeling in the affected area.
- Worsening varicose veins.
- A shallow wound with a red or yellow layer covering it.
- A wound with irregular or uneven edges.
- Shiny, hard skin around the wound or skin that looks tight and stretched.
- Warm skin around the wound.
- Bleeding or oozing from the wound.
- Pale, cool feet due to poor blood flow to the feet.
- Pain or an aching feeling in your feet or legs when you raise your foot or when you lie down.
- Shallow, pitted wound between your toes or on your foot.
- Dark wound that looks red, yellow, gray, or black.
- A deep wound that you can see muscles or tendons through.
- Raised edges of the wound.
- Wounds that don’t bleed but that look severe.
How Can You Care for a Venous Ulcer or Arterial Ulcer at Home?
Vascular ulcers can be healed, but they take a long time to heal and require careful at-home care and regular check-ins with your physician or a wound care specialist. Here are some tips for wound care for arterial ulcers and venous ulcers at home:
- Caring for Venous Insufficiency Ulcers – Clean the wound regularly and apply an antibacterial ointment twice a day. Wear compression stockings or a compression wrap to improve circulation and blood flow. You may also need to take oral antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
- Caring for Arterial Insufficiency Ulcers – Stop smoking and get regular exercise to improve circulation and relieve pain and inflammation. Maintain a healthy diet. Avoid compression therapy, as it could further restrict your circulation. You should clean the wound regularly with gentle pressure and keep it covered with a moist, non-adherent dressing. You should also apply an antibacterial cream or gel once or twice per day.
Complications of Venous & Arterial Ulcers
Without proper wound care and wound management, venous and arterial ulcers have a high risk of complications. If you are concerned you are experiencing complications or have developed an infection due to a vascular ulcer, you should contact our team at Mobile Wounds for expert wound care services. The most common complications of venous and arterial ulcers are:
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Gangrene
- Pain and mobility issues