Prescription antibiotic ointment for skin ulcers

Skin ulcers look like round, open wounds in the skin that occur anywhere on the body.

Common symptoms of skin ulcers include:

• Discoloration of the skin
• Swelling
• Itching
• Pain or tenderness in the affected area
• Clear or discolored pus that is discharged from the ulcer
• Foul odor from the ulcer
• Hair loss around the affected area

Skin ulcers may be caused by several underlying conditions. The most common cause of ulcers is poor blood circulation.

Causes of skin ulcers include:

- Diabetes: Nerve damage from diabetes can result in numbness in your lower body. This loss of feeling in the legs and feet can make it difficult to detect injuries. If left untreated, injuries, cuts, or lesions in the lower body can lead to skin ulcers.

- Pressure ulcers: Also known as bedsores, these ulcers develop as a result of constant pressure on the skin. This commonly occurs when you remain in one position for too long; blood ceases to flow to the affected area and the pressure on the skin creates an ulcer.

- Venous insufficiency: Venous skin ulcers are shallow sores that occur as a result of poor blood circulation from the legs to the heart. When the veins in the legs are unable to pump blood back to the heart, blood gathers in the lower body and creates pressure on the skin. This pressure can result in skin ulcers on the legs or feet.

- Arterial skin ulcers: Like venous skin ulcers, arterial ulcers occur as a result of poor blood circulation to the lower limbs. Fatty buildup in the arteries can make it difficult for blood to flow through the body. If skin tissue is unable to get enough blood, the tissue will eventually die. This can result in a shallow, painful sore.

Risk factors for skin ulcers include:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking
• High cholesterol
• Pregnancy
• Blood clots
• Increasing age

Your doctor will usually perform a visual and physical examination of the affected area to diagnose a skin ulcer. During your appointment for skin ulcers, tell your provider about any underlying conditions you have. This can help your doctor get a clearer picture of your health history and the cause of your ulcers.