Arterial ulcer: main characteristics and treatment

The first step in treating an arterial ulcer is to improve blood circulation to the site, to increase the amount of oxygen in the wound and facilitate healing. To do this, in addition to maintaining the wound treatment with a nurse, it is important to have some lifestyle changes such as:

Do not smoke; Eat healthy, especially avoiding fat and fried foods; Avoid crossing your legs during the day; Take 30-minute walks to improve circulation in your legs;

In some cases, these simple measures can improve circulation and facilitate ulcer healing, however, in more severe cases, it may be necessary to consult a vascular surgeon to have revascularization surgery on the affected area, which may include having an angioplasty. or a bypass, for example.

While circulation to the site does not improve, the wound is unable to heal and, therefore, even with the proper treatment of the ulcer, the tissues are unable to develop properly, preventing the wound from closing.

How to make an ulcer dressing

The treatment of arterial ulcers should always be done by a nurse or other health professional, as it is necessary to keep the wound as clean and dry as possible. Thus, normally to make the dressing the nurse needs:

Remove the previous dressing, using clean gloves; Wash the wound with saline and sterile compresses; Apply a special type of dressing that helps to control moisture in the wound; Apply the external dressing to protect the wound from entering microorganisms; Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment with vitamin A, for example, to protect the skin around the wound.

During treatment, the healthcare professional can also remove pieces of dead tissue using sterile forceps or a scalpel. However, there are also products, such as enzyme powder, that can be applied before closing the dressing and eliminating dead tissue until the next treatment.

If an infection occurs, identified through symptoms such as redness in the leg, more intense pain, swelling and a foul smell, it is important that the nurse starts treatment with antibiotic ointments or special dressings to eliminate bacteria. It is also important to inform the general practitioner to assess the need to start using an oral antibiotic.

When surgery is needed

Surgery is usually necessary when the wound does not heal and there is a high risk of infection. This type of surgery uses a skin patch from another part of the body, usually the thigh, to cover the wound and speed healing.

However, surgery can also be indicated when there is the development of a lot of dead tissue, which cannot be removed during the treatment of the wound.

Main features of arterial ulcer

The most common features of arterial ulcer include:

Round wound that increases in size; Deep wound that does not bleed; Cold and dry skin around the wound; Severe pain in the wound, especially when exercising.

Contrary to what happens in venous ulcers, also known as varicose, in arterial ulcers the surrounding skin is not usually swollen or red. Learn more about what venous ulcers are and how to treat them.

What is the difference between arterial and venous ulcers

The main difference between arterial and venous ulcers is its cause, because while in arterial the wound arises due to the lack of arterial blood in a leg location, in venous ulcers the wound arises from the excessive accumulation of venous blood in the leg, which goes weakening tissues and skin.

Thus, venous wounds are more common in the elderly, especially those who have very swollen legs at the end of the day, while arterial ulcers are more common in people who have affected arterial circulation, as in those who have diabetes, overweight or wears clothes or shoes that are too tight.

In addition, as the arterial ulcer wound arises from lack of blood, it is generally more difficult to treat and takes longer to heal, and surgery is often required to improve blood circulation, especially as healthy lifestyles are not. respected.