What is Causing Your Leg Ulcers to Get Worse?
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At Nest Family Medicine, Dr. Priti Ranjan offers premier wound care to patients of all ages throughout Plano, TX. While most of these wounds can heal on their own, deeper injuries require immediate medical attention. To reduce pain, decrease swelling, and prevent infection, contact our office to book an appointment. We can treat all wounds, including minor cuts, insect bites, and deep lacerations, at our office. If you have a sore on your leg that won’t go away and may be even weeping fluid, this may be a venous leg ulcer that, when left untreated, can lead to serious health problems.
What do leg ulcers look like?
Venous leg ulcers are sores that usually develop between the knee and ankle. They also can form inside the leg or around a patient’s ankle. They are large ulcers with uneven edges that weep fluids. Most of Dr. Ranjan’s patients see swelling in the leg with red or itchy skin around their wound. Plano, TX patients also may experience discolored skin because of trapped blood. Severe ulcers can sink deeper into the fat, muscle, tendon, or even the bone when left untreated. This is why it’s important to seek treatment at Nest Family Medicine when you’re experiencing leg ulcer symptoms.
What is venous insufficiency?
Your veins are responsible for carrying blood back to the heart. The valves in your veins stop the blood from improperly flowing backward. When your veins are having trouble sending blood to your limbs, venous insufficiency develops. This occurs when your blood cannot flow properly to the heart, which causes blood to pool in the legs. This can cause your leg ulcers to worsen without proper treatment from Dr. Ranjan. Untreated diabetes can also lead to deep leg ulcers.
What causes leg ulcers?
Some possible causes of leg ulcers in Plano, TX include:
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Cancer
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Deep vein thrombosis
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Immobility
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Poor valves
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Muscle weakness
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Obesity
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Pregnancy
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Smoking
During a medical exam, Dr. Ranjan can determine the cause of your leg ulcers.
Treating leg ulcers
At Nest Family Medicine, Dr. Ranjan offers different treatment options for leg ulcers. The type of treatment used will depend on your symptoms, the cause of your ulcers, your age, and how well you can tolerate the medication. The most common treatment is a compression stocking. These stockings will apply pressure on your lower leg and ankle, which helps improve blood flow and will significantly reduce leg swelling. Diuretics or anticoagulants can also be used to thin the blood.
How do you prevent leg ulcers?
Once your ulcer is healed, it doesn’t mean that other problems cannot develop. While your skin is intact, the underlying problem with the veins remains, and you must take precautions to prevent another leg ulcer from occurring. Some tips to prevent future leg ulcers include:
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Wear compression stockings throughout the day
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Elevate your legs when you can
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Keep your skin in good condition by using plenty of moisturizing creams that help prevent dryness
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Lose weight by eating a healthy diet
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Quit smoking
Learn more about wound care for leg ulcers
While a minor cut or scrape may not seem that important, if it's not treated properly, it can lead to infection and damage to your soft tissues and bone. Reach out to our primary physician, Dr. Priti Ranjan, to make sure that you get the treatment you need. Call Nest Family Medicine in Plano, TX to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. We accept many different insurance plans and Medicare.