It is never a wise idea to ignore sores on your leg, especially those that will not go away soon. Sores that get red and may weep fluid should never be ignored as they may be venous leg ulcers, and ignoring them can lead to more severe complications. Leg ulcers are open wounds or unhealed sores which, without treatment, could keep recurring. Leg ulcers are most common due to poor circulation of blood, but they can also be attributed to several ailments. They are most prevalent among women; however, they can attack men too. If you are suffering with a leg ulcer in Chalmette, early treatment can avoid further complications.
What Causes Leg Ulcers?
The chances of one developing this condition increase with age, and also it can be hereditary. This means that if your parents, for instance, have them, you are also more likely to develop them. Other than these factors, many other causes can bring about the condition, which include:
- Poor blood circulation
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Some infections
- Increased pressure in the legs
The visible, swollen veins on the leg, also known as varicose veins, are also associated with leg ulcers. In most cases, a compilation of untreated varicose veins brings about leg ulcers. Nonetheless, two conditions are seldom found together.
What are the symptoms of leg ulcers?
There are various symptoms of leg ulcers. Since there are also many causes of this condition, the symptoms may be different for each individual. Though they are painful in most cases, there are rare cases whereby they don’t manifest with pain. The latter is due to nerve damage, usually from unmanaged diabetes. The lack of pain on these sores is one reason most people misdiagnose themselves; thus, they fail to have the condition diagnosed by a specialist. If these sores present with the following symptoms, it will help if you seek medical attention.
- Open sores
- Pus on the sores or affected area
- The wound increasing in size
- Experiencing pain in the affected area
- Swelling of the leg
- Enlarged veins
- Heaviness in the leg and generalized pain
How is leg cancer diagnosed?
A specialist usually carries out a physical examination of the sore, followed by a test to diagnose the leg ulcer. These tests and examinations help them to determine the underlying cause of the leg ulcer. In most cases, the doctor can differentiate between a leg ulcer and a regular sore on your foot by just looking at it. From there, doctors usually recommend several other tests to come up with the right treatment plan, including the following:
- CT scan
- X-rays
- MRI scan
- Noninvasive vascular studies using ultrasound
Treatment of Leg Ulcer
There is a need for treatment of leg cancer if you are to prevent infection and relieve pain. The treatment also sees that the wound does not grow bigger. When the wound is draining pus, you most likely have an infection and will be treated using antibiotics to stop further infections. At the Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Services office, you will get treatment for leg ulcers plus other services such as atrial fibrillation, cardiac intervention services, spider vein treatment, and more. Book an appointment with your doctor to learn more about leg ulcers.