What are leg ulcers?

The word "Ulcer" means a break in the layer of cells forming a surface. They can occur in many different areas of the body. In each different area, there are different things causing the ulcer to form.

A stomach ulcer is where the lining of the stomach is broken down in an area so the acid can attack the underlying tissue.

The cause however is a balance between the amount of acid in the stomach and the factors that protect the stomach lining. You don't cure a stomach ulcer by creams and bandages!!

A leg ulcer is where the skin breaks down allowing air and bacteria to get into the underlying tissue. As you can see the ulcer on the leg, it is tempting to put dressings and creams straight on to it, hoping the skin will grow back.

However, years of research have shown the usual cause of leg ulcers is not the skin, but the underlying blood supply to the skin.

Therefore successful treatment of ulcers and successful prevention of ulcers must be directed at correcting the underlying cause, not the ulcer itself.