Skin Ulcer
Many of us have heard of ulcers. Usually when we hear this term we think of stomach ulcers or even canker sores. It is very rarely that we hear about ulcers in conjunction with the skin. This type of ulcer is called a skin ulcer. A skin ulcer is considered as an open sore that is often accompanied by the shedding of inflamed tissues.
A skin ulcer can be caused by many different factors. Trauma, exposure to heat or cold, problems with poor blood circulation can cause skin ulcers. There is also the possibility of a skin ulcer being caused by the skin being exposed to corrosive materials that are known to irritate the skin.
Skin ulcers can also develop as a result of the body’s blood supply being reduced to certain areas. These areas can develop a skin ulcer because of the prolonged pressure that has been applied to that part of the skin. The causes of such skin ulcers may be attributed to confinement in bed or a chair. Also people who need to wear hard braces or a plaster cast can also get a skin ulcer.
Pressure ulcers which are also called decubitus ulcers or as we know them bedsores are another type of skin ulcer. There is a possibility of infections occurring with skin ulcers. These infections can lead to serious health repercussions.
Some other health conditions that can cause skin ulcers to develop are mouth ulcers, chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, infection and peripheral vascular disease. The best way to identify if you have a skin ulcer is to see if any of the symptoms are present. These symptoms include a reddened area of skin. Advanced skin ulcer conditions will have open sore where a water discharge is emitting from the open skin ulcer.
For anyone who is suffering from skin ulcers there are over the counter topical antibiotics that can be used. These can be neosporin, and Baciguent. You could also use a combination of these two topical medications with polymyxin B, which are Neosporin and Polysporin. These two are used to treat various skin infections.
There are prescription strength topical antibiotics like metronidazole or MetroGel and also mupirocin or Bactroban. These topical antibiotics could be necessary to treat skin ulcer infections.
Various health care providers have found evidence that shifting the body position at least every two hours will avoid pressure being applied on the same parts of the body for a long period of time. There are some people who will find that using a special mattress or bed supports can help, to reduce their skin ulcer development.
In general skin ulcers need to have their wound dressings changed very frequently. In severe skin ulcer cases surgery might be required so that the diseased tissues can be removed. This surgery can also help to heal the skin ulcer wound.