Chronic ulcers
Chronic ulcers
What are Chronic ulcers?
Chronic ulcers are open sores or wounds that fail to heal over time, often persisting for weeks, months, or even years. Legs and feet are very common sites for nonhealing ulcers.
What prevents these Ulcers from healing?
- Inadequate blood supply due to arterial (peripheral arterial disease) or venous causes (varicose veins)
- Nutritional deficiency
- Smoking
- Loss of sensation – sensory neuropathies such as leprosy etc
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiac diseases, anemia
- Pressure ulcers
- Traumatic ulcers – repeated injury prevents the ulcer from healing
What are the Do’s and Don’ts?
Non diabetics suffering from chronic wounds that do not respond to long term antibiotic treatment should seek immediate medical attention with a specialist.
The ulcer should be kept clean. At the same time usage of antiseptics such as dettol, savlon should be strictly avoided.
Cleaning with clean water or saline followed by application of antibiotics should be done.
Over use of creams containing Gentamicin and Neomycin can cause contact sensitivity and even delay the healing of the ulcer.
Certain ulcers need repeated debridement and healing with granulation tissue. This again is done by a specialist.
Areas in the body such as the foot which are subjected to constant pressure/ friction should be treated in special ways.
Managing underlying conditions: For example, controlling blood sugar in diabetes, improving circulation in venous or arterial ulcers
Chronic wounds are best managed in a multidisciplinary way involving orthopedicians, vascular interventionists, surgeons and a dermatologist.