Leg injuries with minor skin tears that allow air or bacteria to access the underlying tissues are what lead to leg ulcers. The majority of the time, you’ll notice them on the inside of your legs or around your ankles.
Additionally, if you have any underlying medical conditions, leg ulcers may develop. Itchy, flaky skin, discoloration on the leg, ankle swelling, and hard skin around the ulcers are just a few symptoms. As a result, you ought to see a doctor and start therapy as soon as you can.
What is a leg ulcer?
Chronic sores like leg ulcers might take months to cure. Leg ulcers are typically brought on by underlying medical disorders such lymphedema, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease, venous disease, or having previously experienced a leg ulcer. Another reason for leg ulcers is an injury or surgery on the infected leg.
Leg injuries with tiny skin tears that allow air or germs to access the underlying tissues are what lead to leg ulcers. The skin usually heals on its own within a week or two, but occasionally ulcers—which can be quite painful—form when the skin does not. In addition to being unsightly and making you feel uncomfortable, they could also be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.
What Causes Leg Ulcers?
The following are a few of the most prevalent illnesses that can cause leg ulcers:
Arterial Disease: Arterial disease is another condition that causes leg ulcers. As a result of blocked arteries in the leg, which prevent blood flow to the underlying tissues, this condition accounts for 15% of leg ulcers.
Venous Disease: One of the most typical underlying causes of leg ulcers is this. About 80% of leg ulcer cases are caused by it. Ineffective vein valves are frequently the cause of venous disease. Blood flows back into the legs when veins are unable to transport blood toward the heart, eventually leading to ulcers.
Other Medical Conditions: Medical diseases like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can also cause leg ulcers.
Natural Remedies
Gotu Kola or Centella Asiatica
A tropical creeping plant, gotu kola is primarily found in Asia and Africa. It is used to treat burns and leg ulcers, both of which are open wounds. Gotu kola contains compounds including Asiatic acid and Madecassic acid, which have the ability to heal wounds and reduce inflammation.
Ingredients required:
1 tablespoon or a handful of Gotu kola leaves
Water
Grind the gotu kola leaves with enough water to create a thick paste. Use this mixture to make a paste, then apply it to your ulcers.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an antimicrobial that has been used to treat a number of skin conditions. Tea tree oil has also been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating leg ulcers that won’t go away. Leg ulcers can be treated and healed with the help of its strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Ingredients required:
10 to 12 drops of tea tree oil are required.
Coconut oil, 30 mL
In a bowl, combine coconut oil and tea tree oil. To the affected area, apply a small amount of this solution. For later usage, the leftover mixture can be kept in a spick-and-span container.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is yet another all-natural but effective treatment for leg ulcers. It is one of the best substances for treating microbial diseases like leg ulcers because of its high acetic acid content and abundance of vitamins and minerals. It is also frequently used to treat varicose veins, which makes it useful in the treatment of leg ulcers because of its wound-healing properties.
Ingredients required:
1 tablespoon of apple cider
1 to 2 tablespoons of warm water
A pinch of salt
A little dish towel
In a mixing basin, combine the apple cider vinegar and warm water. Place a clean piece of cloth on top of the wound after soaking it in the solution. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before using the solution.
Turmeric
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances are found in turmeric. Turmeric has been used for generations to treat wounds because of its antibacterial properties. An ingredient in turmeric called curcumin has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.
Ingredients required:
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Water
Combine the turmeric and water to make a thick paste. To the affected area, apply the paste, and then let it dry. Use warm water to rinse it off.
To aid your body in fighting the infections from the inside out, you can also consume a glass of heated milk mixed with turmeric.
Coconut Oil
Due to the presence of fatty acids like lauric acid, the excellent coconut oil possesses antimicrobial qualities. We are confident that you would have success if you applied some coconut oil to the affected area.
Ingredients required:
1-2 tbsp virgin coconut oil.
Your leg sores should be treated with a tiny amount of virgin coconut oil.
Honey
Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics have long been used to cure wounds. Along with reducing swelling and irritation, it has wound-healing properties that hasten the recovery of ulcers. Due to its antibacterial properties, honey can aid in preventing recurrent infections of ulcers.
Ingredients required:
100% organic honey.
Give your fingertips a small quantity of organic honey. Carefully apply it to the leg ulcers you have and leave it on. After ten to fifteen minutes, rinse with water.
Aloe Vera
A medical plant called aloe vera is used to treat a number of illnesses. Since it inhibits bacterial growth and also guards against infection, it is incredibly effective in the treatment of leg ulcers. It contains elements that are thought to have wound-healing properties, such as anthraquinones and hormones.
Ingredients required:
Aloe vera
Cut a tiny hole in an aloe vera leaf. Use a scraper to remove the jelly-like substance from the leaves. On the ulcers on your legs, immediately apply the gel.
Chamomile
According to recent research, chamomile extract can speed up the full healing of open wounds. It has anti-inflammatory characteristics that lessen swelling and irritation around leg ulcers, and it also has antibacterial properties that work to fight and prevent infection.
Ingredients required:
1 teaspoon of chamomile herb
1 cup of hot water
Pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of chamomile herb, and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. After straining, allow the mixture to cool. Use this tea to soak a clean washcloth, then gently wrap it around the leg ulcers. After some time, take off the cloth.
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Flaxseeds
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in flaxseeds and give them their anti-inflammatory qualities, make them. Additionally, they aid in the quicker recovery of open wounds and skin ulcers. Flaxseeds have antibacterial qualities that could aid in infection prevention.
Ingredients required:
1 teaspoon of ground flaxseeds
Water
Add a little water to a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds to create a thick paste. To treat leg ulcers, apply this flaxseed paste directly. After 15 to 20 minutes, remove it with water and wash it off. The flaxseed paste can also be applied to the wound while being wrapped in a fresh cotton cloth.
Yarrow
When it comes to healing open wounds like leg ulcers, yarrow is almost as effective as hawthorn. It demonstrates antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that quicken the wound’s healing while also minimizing edema and inflammation (if any).
Ingredients required:
Yarrow supplements or topical ointment containing yarrow
Take 350 mg of yarrow supplements to hasten your body’s recovery. Additionally, you can treat the ulcers with a yarrow-based ointment.
Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorn berries can also be used to heal leg ulcers and open wounds. They are frequently used to lower tension and strain. They aid in accelerating the healing process and contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Although it can be difficult to locate hawthorn berries in their natural state, supplements can be found practically anywhere.Rosemary Essential Oil
Many things can be done with rosemary, including managing and treating wounds. It has anti-inflammatory qualities that can aid in the treatment of edema and inflammation. Because rosemary is a natural antibacterial, it can prevent bacteria from growing in leg ulcers.
Ingredients required:
3 to 4 drops of rosemary essential oil
1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil
Combine coconut oil and rosemary oil. Directly apply this mixture to the leg ulcers.
Vaseline
Vaseline, a petroleum jelly substitute, is offered in stores. In addition to assisting with wound care and avoiding further infection of the open sore, it provides a protective covering over the ulcer. Additionally, it can stop itching and scars. If you intend to dress your leg ulcers, it is not a good idea to apply Vaseline.
Ingredients required:
Vaseline or petroleum jelly
Vaseline should be applied directly to the leg ulcers in a thin layer.
Preventing Leg Ulcers
Leg ulcer prevention can enhance the quality of life for people who are susceptible to acquiring them. Patients with chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes might lessen their chance of developing leg ulcers by maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy weight. Patients with poor circulation in their lower limbs are more likely to develop leg ulcers if they smoke. Therefore, quitting smoking can help to lower the prevalence of this excruciating illness.Bottom Line
Leg ulcers resemble sores and appear when the skin is damaged or broken, allowing bacteria to invade the underlying tissues. Leg ulcers can be caused by a variety of underlying medical disorders, including diabetes, arterial disease, and venous disease, in addition to skin injuries, which are the most frequent cause of leg ulcers.
Leg pain with prolonged standing is one of the main signs and symptoms that frequently accompany leg ulcers, along with irritated or flaky skin, edema, weight, and discolouration. Leg ulcers can be treated naturally at home in mild to moderate instances with Gotu kola, turmeric, aloe vera, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and yarrow.
