Leg ulcers may be caused by medical conditions such as:

• Poor circulation, often caused by arteriosclerosis (PAD)
• Venous insufficiency (a failure of the valves in the veins of the leg that causes congestion and slowing of blood circulation in the veins)
• Diabetes
• Renal (kidney) failure
• Hypertension (treated or untreated)
• Lymphedema (a buildup of fluid that causes swelling in the legs or feet)
• Inflammatory diseases including vasculitis, lupus, scleroderma or other rheumatological conditions
• Other medical conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, bowel disorders
• History of smoking (either current or past)
• Pressure caused by lying in one position for too long
• Genetics (ulcers may be hereditary)
• A malignancy (tumor or cancerous mass)
• Infections
• Certain medications

The three most common types of leg and foot ulcers include:

• Arterial (ischemic ulcers)
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers

If you have ulcer, contact urgently Dr. Praveen Singhal.

• Who is affected: The patient suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease are at high risk of developing arterial ulcers.
• What causes this ulcer: PAD causes poor blood supply and by poor perfusion by nutrient & oxygen rich blood to the lower extremities so that the overlying skin and tissues are then deprived of oxygen resulting in open wound or non healing of the acquired wound.

To read more on click here “PAD”

• Who is affected: occurs in patients with history of leg swelling, varicose veins, or deep vein thrombosis.
• What causes this ulcer: varicose veins or DVT causes chronic venous insufficiency i.e inability of venous system to return the blood back to the heart, so that there is stasis of blood in the deep and superficial veins of the leg resulting in poor blood circulation cycle and increase pressure in leg veins. The persistent high pressure in the leg veins damages tiny blood vessels in the skin resulting in dry, itchy and inflamed skin which produces small wound due to itching and crack in the skin. Due to the poor blood circulation, this doesn’t heal well and a non healing open wound after minimal trauma. This is how the ulcer forms.

To read more on click here “varicose veins” and “DVT”

• Who is affected: Occur primarily in people with uncontrolled diabetes, also called as neurotrophic ulcers, although these ulcers can occur in anyone who has an impaired sensation of the feet.
• What causes this ulcer: diabetes does not cause an ulcer directly but ulcer occurs due to diabetes induced Neuropathy and peripheral artery. Nerve damage or neuropathy results in poor or loss of sensations in foot so that patient is unaware of minor trauma to foot while walking or cutting nails. Combined with peripheral arterial disease any minor wound causes non healing or delayed healing due to poor blood supply. Symptoms of neuropathy include tingling, numbness, burning or pain.

Once you are suffering from a leg ulcer disease, consult JVIR / Ulcer specialist doctors at the earliest. Also below mentioned are few measures which prevents ulcer formation or which helps in ulcer healing :

• Take care of your feets : wear proper shoes while walking or exercise, avoid trauma to feets, be utmost careful while cutting your nails, regular inspect your feets and web spaces between fingers to seen any minor cuts or abrasions, if found do not take them lightly
• Stop smoking immediately and completely – No IF & BUT at all, also stop tobacco in all forms
• Exercise regularly – walking is the best exercise.
• Consult your physician for best control your high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure if you are diabetic and hypertensive
• Healthy diet : very important aspect as it can control your sugar levels, can control bad cholesterol levels, helps in weight reduction and also to keep blood pressure in control (low salt diet)
• Reduce your weight if you are obese

• Local wound care : this includes local dressings and trimming of wound margins
• Causal treatment : an ulcer cannot be cured or healed until and unless the cause of ulcer be treated, so consult JVIR immediately to know the cause of your ulcer and its causal treatment