Venous Leg Ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are open sores caused by issues with blood flow in your leg veins. They most commonly develop near the ankle.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a venous leg ulcer include:

• A wound that heals very slowly, has uneven borders, or is draining pus
• Itchy skin on your leg
• Red, purple, or brown skin discoloration
• Leg swelling
• Leg pain cramping
• Warm or hot skin around the wound

Treatment

To treat your leg ulcer and help it heal, your doctor will remove tissue around the wound. If you have an underlying health issue leading to the ulcer, treatment will focus on that issue.

You may also have to care for your wound at home, which can include cleaning and dressing it regularly, as well as wearing compression stockings. You may also need to take antibiotics or use an antibiotic ointment.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing a venous leg ulcer include:

• History of deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins
• Age (being older)
• Being female
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Family history of blood flow issues
• Inactivity