Venous Skin Ulcers Defined
A skin ulcer is an open wound caused by a breakdown of the skin cells. Skin ulcers tend to recur, even after weeks to months of healing, particularly when the underlying cause is not treated. A venous skin ulcer is a shallow wound that typically develops on either side of the lower leg, above the ankle and below the calf. Venous skin ulcers develop when blood pools in the lower leg veins, leading to tissue breakdown. This pooling problem is usually a result of the veins’ inability to move blood back toward the heart.

Leg Care Suggestions
Give your legs REST.

• ELEVATE your feet above your heart while sleeping and at regular times during the day.
• AVOID work that requires you to stand or sit with your feet on the ground for long periods. Change positions frequently.
• TAKE walks to help leg muscles “pump” fluid out of your legs.
  

Give your legs SUPPORT.

• WEAR professionally made support stockings that apply pressure from ankle to knee or other compression
  devices. Your doctor will help you choose the kind that is right for you and send you to a professional who
  will properly measure your legs for correct stocking size.
• HAVE at least two pairs of support stockings available to change daily. After laundering, hang them up to
  dry. Never put them in a dryer.
• ALWAYS put on support stockings early in the morning before fluid pools in lower legs.
• WEAR support stockings all day and then remove in the evening when going to sleep.
• BUY new stockings every 6 months so their strength doesn’t wear out.
• AVOID ACE® bandages. It is extremely difficult to wrap them properly to provide the pressure you need.
• IF your doctor has prescribed the use of a compression pump, follow the instructions completely. It may
  take a little time to adjust to the pumping procedures.

Signs Of Progressive Venous Insufficiency...

• SWELLING that does no go away quickly when you lie down.
• DISCOLORATION especially brownish skin discoloration around ankles and lower legs.
• DRYNESS and/or itching in the same areas.
• ANY WOUND or bruise that doesn’t go away within 1 week.
  

After 1 Week...
If your wound does NOT heal, DON’T put off seeing your doctor. REMEMBER… You are a vital part of your treatment program an it is essential that you faithfully follow ALL medical directions. Always consult your physician
before making any change to your healthcare routine. Especially if you have questions or if your symptoms are becoming worse.

Wound Care
If you have a wound...

• KEEP IT CLEAN. Keep minor wounds clean and protect them with a bandage.
• AVOID STRONG ANTISEPTICS. Many antiseptics such as hydorgen peroxide, povidone iodine (Betadine®) and sodium hypochlorite (Dakin’s solution) can damage skin and interfere with healing.
• DON’T stop wearing support stockings during your daily activities. If it is difficult to wear them over the bandage, put on a knee length nylon stocking first and wear the support stocking over it.
• WATCH the wound carefully. You will need to describe any changes to your doctor. Remember that any wound may turn into a chronic wound and early treatment has been shown to be beneficial.

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