Poor peripheral circulation of the venous system can lead to chronic sores, also known as venous stasis ulcers. Most commonly forming on the lower extremities, these ulcers may be accompanied by excessive swelling below the knees and dry, red skin. Vein circulation problems are responsible for up to 90 percent of all leg sores, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Treatment types will vary depending on the etiology of the vein insufficiency, but some general treatments can be applied.
Dressings
Open sores will have copious drainage, usually of a thin, clear fluid. Keeping the sores clean, dry and covered can be a challenge. Common sense can prevail if the dressings are soaked through then they are inviting infection to form underneath in the wounds. The patient or caregiver should cleanse the wounds using the ordered regimen, or, clean with a mild soap, pat dry, and apply antibacterial creams. Dressings applied should be clean, absorbent and porous to allow airflow to enter and dry the sores. Areas should not be tightly wrapped as this can exacerbate the situation.
Compression Stockings
If ordered by the physician, compression stockings can be as complex as a medical grade nylon or as simplistic as an elastic-type wrap. Compression assists the venous system in returning blood flow back to the heart, as opposed to pooling in the extremity and causing congestion. Compression stockings will be prescribed with a specific regimen directing how long to wear them and how long to expose the sores to fresh air. If wrapping the legs and sores with elastic wraps, the patient or caregiver should ensure that a clean, dry bandage is underneath to protect the sores from infection.
Elevation
Venous congestion and insufficiency may cause fluids to pool in the lower extremities where they are drawn by gravity. Edema is a common sign of poor circulation and will increase the instance of sores forming on the skin as well as hinder healing. Elevating the extremities above heart level will facilitate blood and fluid return to the heart, allowing a fresh supply of healing nutrient rich blood to return to the sores.
Medications
Medications may be used in treatment for open sores for infection or to treat the underlying cause. The drainage from open sores should be thin, clear and odorless. If a smell, color or viscosity develops this is indicative of an infection. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection in these sores but probably will not heal the sores themselves. Other medications may be used to treat the underlying cause of the sores. For instance, excessive fluid can be removed from the system with diuretics, and underlying causes such as heart failure can be treated with medicines to improve the heart function.
