Venous ulcers, or stasis ulcers, are wounds on the surface of the skin made from untreated pooled blood that has made its way into the tissue of the body because of venous insufficiency. Venous ulcers commonly appear on the lower extremities and heal slower than other types of wounds.
What causes venous ulcers?
Venous ulcers are caused from untreated pools of blood that happen after vein valves malfunction and allow blood to back up into a certain spot in the tissue of the leg.
Before an ulcer occurs, you may experience dark skin around the wound accompanied by dryness, irritation, and a thickening of the skin. Once an ulcer begins to form, the spot will become more painful, showing signs of puss, odor, and redness. Your leg(s) may also begin to swell.
How are venous skin ulcers diagnosed?
When you come in for your visit, Dr. Reynolds will go over your symptoms and perform a variety of examinations, including a potential ultrasound, to determine the state of the ulcer(s). Your ulcer should heal within a few weeks upon starting treatment, but if not, Dr. Reynolds will do further testing to find the root of the issue.
Contact our office at 615.716.VEIN to schedule an appointment today.
