Symptom
Skin ulcers
A break in your skin that is slow to heal or fails to heal is called a skin ulcer. Ulcers usually look like a small, round crater in the skin with rough edges.
They sometimes bleed or ooze and can become inflamed. They often occur on your lower legs or feet.
Ulcers can be caused by:
- Infection
- Injury or trauma
- Poor blood circulation
- Putting pressure on an area for a long time
- Nerve damage
- Nutritional imbalances
Diabetic patients can be prone to skin ulcers due to nerve damage in their feet.
How are skin ulcers treated?
Treatment for skin ulcers will depend on what caused the ulcer. You may be taught how to correctly dress the wound. Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed to ease any swelling. Other tests and/or scans may be recommended if your ulcers are a result of poor circulation. You may be asked to wear compression socks to increase circulation in your legs and feet.