Venous Ulcers
Venous Ulcer Treatments in Phoenix
Educate yourself about venous ulcers and venous disease below. We believe it can help you understand what you are experiencing, however for an accurate diagnosis and consultation, it is best to see a professional. Please continue to read up on venous ulcers below until your consult. We believe the more you know helps you understand the process and heal better.
Understanding Spider Vein, a Venous Disease Symptom
An ulcer is an open sore that is caused by a break in the skin that does not heal properly. A venous ulcer occurs when blood doesn’t flow back toward the heart, as it should. This creates venous insufficiency and poor circulation. The pressure inside the veins increases. Due to that high pressure, knocking into your skin can cause it to break and led to ulcers. These ulcers usually occur on the lower legs between the ankles and knees.
What Causes Venous Ulcers?
Common causes of venous ulcers include injury, obesity, aging and obesity. You may notice swelling, achiness and your legs may feel tired. A red, itchy rash along with an open wound usually occurs. You’ll want to avoid scratching this wound since it can cause additional damage.
If you think you may have an ulcer, early treatment is key. Smaller ulcers are easier to treat than larger ones. Reach out to any of our six offices in the Phoenix metro area for a consultation about venous ulcers and venous disease.
How to Diagnosis Venous Ulcers?
A doctor will give you a physical examination to determine if you have venous ulcers and venous disease. The doctor also will take your medical history and ask you if you any swelling or hardened skin. Conditions such as diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, injuries and prior surgeries can cause these ulcers.
What Treatment for Venous Ulcers Is Best for Me?
Most venous ulcers will heal within three to four months. Below see what the different treatments for venous and venous disease look like:
Lifestyle Changes
In order to treat venous ulcers, you can start by making changes to your lifestyle. Start by placing your legs above your head. This will prevent the blood from pooling.
Do Compression Socks Work as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers?
Compression or really tight socks also will help improve circulation and prevent the blood from flowing back down. These can help prevent ulcers and help the ulcers heal faster too. Compression socks must be worn daily to be effective. Walking also improves circulation and is a minimally invasive way to treat these ulcers.
Topical Creams as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
Anti-fungal creams can help stop the infection from developing. Hydrocortisone can help lessen itching, a common symptom of ulcers.
Unna Boots as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
This is a moist gauze bandage that’s wrapped around the lower leg to harden and form a “shoe” on the leg. The tight wrapping helps the wound heal and improves blood flow.
Transparent Dressings as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
After the wound is cleaned, a transparent dressing is a thin film that’s placed over the wound to create an environment that helps healing. It’s changed every five to seven days. A support stocking is worn over the dressing to hold the dressing in place and boost circulation.
Hydrocolloid Dressings as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
Hydrocolloid dressings are bandages with an outer layer that prevent further infection and viruses from getting in and an inner part that absorbs the drainage to foster healing. It also helps get rid of dead wound tissue. These dressings are changed every one to seven days.
Growth Factors as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
Growth factors are proteins that help promote tissue growth. This can help the wound heal faster.
Surgery as a Treatment for Venous Ulcers
Doctors sometimes perform surgery, called debridement, to remove any dead tissue or bone from an ulcer to promote healing. Doctors will perform this if the ulcer shows signs of infection, a high white blood cell count—indicative that the body is fighting off an infection—or if drainage is severe.