Trophic ulcer is a necrotic lesion of the skin or mucous membrane. It may seem that it does not pose a particular danger. However, such a judgment is erroneous. If the lesion is not detected in time and timely treatment is started, serious complications will arise.
What is trophic ulcer?
This surface defect is formed due to the violation of blood and lymph circulation. As a result of this malfunction, the cells lack nutrients and oxygen. Over time, the trophic ulcer attacks the underlying tissues. This defeat does not heal for a long time, but, on the contrary, it grows both in length and width. It may not last for more than 3 months.
Finding a focal lesion on the body, patients can not wait to find out: trophic ulcer - what is it. Diagnosis of this ailment will help specific signs that are peculiar to this disease. This disease does not occur suddenly and spontaneously. Even at the initial stage, it is characterized by certain signs. This disease often affects the feet and legs.
Why do trophic ulcers occur on the legs?
The disease can be caused by various "provocateurs". Trophic ulcers of the lower extremities are more often diagnosed in such diseases:
- Diabetes mellitus - due to a malfunction in the endocrine system, problems in blood circulation begin to occur and an increased fragility of the vessels is observed. As a result, trophic ulcers are formed.
- Hypertension - when the pressure rises, there is a spasm of blood vessels, and skin tissues are undernourished. More often the defeat is superficial and does not affect the hypodermis.
- Varicose veins - due to the formation of thrombi there is stenosis of blood vessels.
In addition, the following factors can provoke the development of trophic ulcers:
- non-observance of hygiene rules;
- psoriasis ;
- dermatitis;
- erysipelas inflammations ;
- injuries;
- overweight;
- frostbite and burns;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Trophic ulcers in varicose veins
This ailment is due to the destruction of blood vessels. Oxygen and nutrients cease to be delivered to the tissue cells, so a trophic ulcer on the leg is formed in varicose veins. Her harbingers may be seals, bruises, abrasions and bruises. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to any changes in the skin. All scratches should be carefully treated with an antiseptic, since getting into them microbes and dust will provoke serious consequences.
Trophic ulcers in diabetes
With hyperglycemia, this ailment is more severe. In 50% of cases this disease leads to amputation of the lower limb. The trophic ulcer in diabetes mellitus is caused by a malnutrition of skin cells. This condition is provoked by the following factors:
- pathology of blood vessels;
- violation of innervation;
- insufficient foot care;
- a decrease in physical activity.
Trophic ulcer - symptoms
All the signs characterizing this disease can be conditionally divided into the following groups:
- preceding pathological lesion;
- those that manifest themselves in the development of the disease.
Trophic ulcers of the lower leg or foot have such pre-emergence symptoms:
- severe heaviness in the legs;
- numbness of limbs;
- slight aching pain;
- swelling of the feet .
To attributes which accompany a trophic ulcer, to carry it is possible:
- a burning sensation that arises from the damage to the nerve endings of the skin;
- severe itching;
- convulsions (can last from a few seconds to 5 minutes);
- change in the shade of the skin (it acquires a reddish, and sometimes violet) color;
- increased dryness of the skin, resulting from the damage to the sebaceous glands;
- pain when touching the affected limb;
- the appearance of erosion.
Stages of trophic ulcers
This ailment has the following stages of development:
- The initial stage is the appearance of the lesion and its progression.
- Stage of purification.
- Scarring of the ulcer along the edges.
- Epithelization.
The initial stage of the trophic ulcer on the leg manifests itself with a slight reddening of the site. Swelling may also occur. Often, droplets of liquid seep through the skin. There is a withering away of the epidermal tissues (judging by this process, whitish spots appear on its surface). If at this stage there is no timely treatment, a scab will appear. It intensively expands, staining the skin of the affected area in a cherry color. The initial stage can last from several hours to 2-3 weeks.
At the stage of cleansing, ulcers are rounded. They produce bloody or mucopurulent discharge with an unpleasant odor. At this stage, itching can occur. If the trophic ulcer on the foot is cicatrized, the photos taken at the beginning of the treatment and in its process help to see the changes taking place on the affected area. Foci decrease in size, on their surface appear areas of pink color. The duration of the period of scarring and subsequent epithelization depends on the following factors:
- dimensions of erosion;
- timeliness of the treatment started and its effectiveness;
- patient's state of health.
Trophic ulcer on the leg - treatment
Any therapeutic procedures are preceded by diagnostic measures. Treatment of ulcers is a specification of phlebology physicians. More often such research is appointed:
- dopplerography of vessels;
- radiography;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- MRI;
- daily monitoring of arterial pressure.
The fight against the disease in each case is carried out according to an individual scheme. This approach is explained by the fact that there are many factors-provocateurs of the disease. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, they start therapy. Treatment of trophic ulcers can be performed medically and surgically. As auxiliary methods, people's means are used.
Can I cure a trophic ulcer on my leg?
If the diagnosis is put on time and the therapy is started in time, the prognosis is comforting. Only treatment should be conducted under the supervision of a qualified doctor. The patient should immediately observe all the prescriptions of the doctor for a speedy recovery. Trophic ulcer on the leg is an insidious disease. If you fight it with handicraft methods, you can only aggravate the situation. For this reason, self-healing is not recommended.
Treatment of trophic ulcers of the lower extremities - drugs
The purpose of these or other drugs is taking into account the variety of the disease and its severity. Thus, the treatment of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus is somewhat different from the therapy prescribed for varicose veins. If the wound is wetting, such medications are prescribed:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Ketoprofen;
- antibiotics - Fuzidin, Geksikon, Levomitsetin, Miramistin;
- antiplatelet agents - Reopoliglyukin, Pentoxifylline;
- antiallergic drugs - Suprastin, Tavegil.
Treatment of the trophic ulcer is its purification and rinsing. For these purposes, saline is used. If the trophic varicose ulcer is in a protracted stage, after surgical removal of dead cells, a drug that accelerates the regeneration of tissues is used externally. Ointment from trophic ulcers can be prescribed this:
- Levomekol;
- Dioxoxol;
- Streptolaven;
- Solcoseryl;
- Ebermin.
The doctor also pays special attention to the dressing material. His choice largely depends on the type of wound. If it is sterile, a bandage is applied that helps moisturize and breathe the skin. When the ulcer is infected, a dressing is used, which ensures absorption of the secretions from the wound. In addition, the dressing should have an antibacterial effect.
Trophic ulcer - folk remedies
All manipulations performed at home should be performed under the supervision of the attending physician. Often used for washing wounds are herbal infusions (from chamomile, celandine, string or marigold). They have an antiseptic effect, so not only take away the inflammation, but also contribute to the formation of a new layer of skin. However, before using them, you need to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the "drug".
How to treat a trophic ulcer with tar balm?
Ingredients:
- juniper tar - 100 g;
- chicken yolk - 2 pieces;
- rose oil - 1 tbsp. a spoon;
- purified turpentine - 1 tsp.
Preparation, use:
- Yolks are mixed with oil and tar.
- Slowly add turpentine to the mixture, while constantly stirring the composition.
- Balsam is applied to the ulcer and covered with a bandage.
Trophic ulcer on the leg - treatment at home with a honey-egg cocktail
Ingredients:
- egg white protein - 1 part;
- honey natural - 1 part;
- a sheet of mug - 1 pc.
Preparation, use:
- In the same proportion, the protein is mixed with honey.
- Beat this mass.
- Apply to the reverse side of the burdock sheet.
- Apply this compress to the affected area and cover with food film. Top with a linen cloth.
- Keep the compress all night. Therapeutic course lasts 5-8 procedures.
Trophic ulcer - operation
In severe and extensive lesions of the tissues, surgical intervention is recommended. The purpose of this procedure is to remove the dead areas. Here's how to cure a trophic ulcer in an operative way:
- Vacuum therapy - is aimed at reducing puffiness and removing pus from the lesion focus. A special microclimate is created in the wound, which prevents the reproduction of bacteria.
- Cathering - the procedure is applied when the trophic ulcer is not prolonged for a long time.
- Percutaneous stitching - is more often used for the treatment of foci of hypertensive genesis.
- Virtual amputation - the foci of bone infection are removed, the integrity of the foot is not disturbed.
Trophic ulcer - consequences
If the problem is left to chance, serious complications can occur. Trophic ulcers of the lower extremities often have such consequences:
- sepsis;
- lymphangitis;
- skin cancer;
- gas gangrene;
- thrombophlebitis.