What is a Venous Ulcer?

Venous ulcer is a shallow sore on your lower leg. It is caused by poor circulation in your veins. Venous ulcer is the most common type of lower leg ulcer. You may have venous ulcers on one leg or on both legs. This condition most often develops around your ankles. This type of ulcer may last for a long time (chronic ulcer) or it may return often (recurrent ulcer).

Follow these instructions at home:

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your doctor about:
  • How to take care of your wound.
  • When and how you should change your bandage (dressing).
  • When you should remove your bandage. If your bandage is dry and gets stuck to your leg when you try to remove it, moisten or wet the bandage with saline solution or water. This helps you to remove it without harming your skin or wound.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Have a caregiver do this for you if you are not able to do it yourself. Watch for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Pus, warmth, or a bad smell.

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it or apply it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking or using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.

Activity

• Do not stand or sit in one position for a long period of time. Rest with your legs raised during the day. If possible, keep your legs above your heart for 30 minutes, 3–4 times a day, or as told by your doctor.
• Do not sit with your legs crossed.
• Walk often to increase the blood flow in your legs. Ask your doctor what level of activity is safe for you.
• If you are taking a long ride in a car or plane, take a break to walk around at least once every two hours, or as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor if you should take aspirin before long trips.

General instructions

• Wear elastic stockings, compression stockings, or support hose as told by your doctor. This is very important.
• Raise the foot of your bed as told by your doctor.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a fever.
• Your ulcer is getting larger or is not healing.
• Your pain gets worse.
• You have more redness or swelling around your ulcer.
• You have more fluid, blood, or pus coming from your ulcer after it has been cleaned by you or your doctor.
• You have warmth or a bad smell coming from your ulcer.