Varicose or venous ulcer is a wound difficult to heal, caused by chronic venous insufficiency. Lack of circulation causes small sores to grow and gather, forming the ulcer, which may arise due to trauma or spontaneously.
Therefore, varicose ulcer is a complication of chronic venous insufficiency. It represents the final stage of varicose veins, since it tends to appear several years after the appearance of the same ones.
Venous ulcers are superficial, irregularly shaped and arise in places of prominent bone, especially at the extremity of the leg, near the inner part of the ankle.
Ulcers usually do not cause much pain and have a reddish background, being surrounded by a dark spot on the skin.
Together with the ulcer varicosities may also occur in the extremities of the lower limbs, swelling and venous dermatitis.
Among the possible causes of venous ulcers are the inflammatory processes which activate leukocytes (defense cells), cause tissue damage, promote clot formation and cause swelling in cells.
Varicose ulcers occur mainly in the elderly, overweight, history of leg injuries, phlebitis (inflammation of the vein), and deep venous thrombosis.
Among the most serious complications of varicose ulcers are the cellulitis (skin infection), the osteomyelitis (bone infection) and even malignant transformation, ie there is a risk of developing into cancer, especially large ulcers and of prolonged duration.
The treatment of varicose ulcer is difficult and its healing is slow. Treatment includes dressings, resting, leg elevation, elastic compression, and surgery.
O band Aid accelerates the healing of the varicose ulcer and prevents the lesion from appearing again. At elastic stockings also promote healing and should be used wherever possible. However, elastic compression is only indicated to heal ulcers in the initial stages, which are not complicated.
Already the surgical treatment may be indicated in some cases of varicose ulcer. Through specific techniques of vascular surgery, it is possible to remove or close the diseased vein.
The person responsible for the treatment of varicose ulcer is the angiologist or vascular surgeon.
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