Skin ulcer
About Skin ulcer
A skin ulcer is an open sore. The tissue below is exposed to the outside. Ulcers can occur on any area of the body, but are common in areas where there is prolonged pressure (buttocks, feet). Ulcers are often shallow, but may also be deep exposing bone and tendon. Certain individuals are more prone to ulcer development. They include diabetics, individuals with poor circulation and individuals who are immobile (quadraplegia, etc.).Symptoms
Symptoms may be dependent of the severity of the condition. It may include the development of a sore on an area of the skin. Associated symptoms may also include pain, skin redness, draining fluid and a bad odor.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical will be performed. Blood and possibly imaging tests may be performed depending on the symptoms to determine the severity of the condition.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Wound culture, X-ray.
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment is based on the severity of symptoms. If the ulceration is mild, it may only need special attention and wound care dressing changes. With more severe ulcerations it may require a physician to debride the wound (remove the dead tissue) and order special dressing changes. If infection is suspected, antibiotics may be started. If there are concerns for decreased blood supply to an area, a vascular surgeon can, at times, reroute the blood supply to the area by performing a vascular bypass surgery.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Vascular Surgery · Family Practice · Infectious Disease Medicine · Podiatry · Foot and Ankle Surgery
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Skin ulcer.