Treatment for ulcers (External ulcer)

Go to your doctor if...

• Your symptoms are getting worse after 10-14 days of treatment (peptic ulcer).
• You have an unexplained weight loss.
• New belly pain or one that does not go away.
• Frequent feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.
• You have an external ulcer (mouth, leg, foot, corneal, decubitus, or other type of skin ulcer). You can see it from the pictures below.

                     

Decubitus ulcer by stages:

Stage 1:                         Stage 2:                             Stage 3:                             Stage 4:

                                            

Depending on the size, depth, stage, or condition of your decubitus ulcer (e.g presence of infection, foul odor, or bleeding), your doctor may refer you to a wound care team of doctors, nurses, and specialists experienced in treating this type of sores.


Call 911 or another emergency number, based on the country you live in, if you have:

• Symptoms of shock or heart attack (chest discomfort, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, light headedness).
• Severe vomitting or sharp pain in the belly.

If you want to speed up the healing process, drink plenty of fluids every day. Water is the most important one and you should drink 1.5 - 2 litres a day (8 glasses).

Moisture provides an environment that feeds the bacteria responsible for skin ulcers thus worsening the symptoms, so keep your skin as dry as possible.

Here are some things you can do:

• Use a paper towel instead of bath towel for your face.
• Use oil-free moisturizers and sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of water (8 glasses a day).
• Avoid carbonated beverages and alcohol consumption.
• Avoid sugar, salt and fried food.

Zinc promotes faster healing of the skin, so you need to increase the intake of this mineral.

Peanuts, chicken breast, baked beans, dry roasted cashews, milk and almonds are some of the products that contain zinc.

Although intake of natural zinc is recommended, you can also take is as a supplement. Click here to buy it.

Vitamin C is essential for skin and blood vessels to function properly by shielding skin from damage and it makes the collagen - protein used to make skin, ligaments and blood vessels. Also, it has an anti-inflammatory property.

1. Take 500 mg of vitamin C three times a day.
2. Include foods in your diet that are rich with Vitamin C (peppers, guavas, Kiwifruit, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits and many more).

If you have a small lesion or a bubble on your skin, it is probably some blister or pimple / acne. If you aren't sure, consult with your doctor first.

Blister:                                       Pimple:                                                   Acne:

                      


Check out the solutions for Blisters and Pimples / Acne.

Wrap your skin ulcer in a clean bandage, but do not forget to clean it first. It will protect from further infection and injury.

• Do not use a bandage that is smaller than the ulcer. Instead, use a larger one.
• Use gauze, rolled in, or in 2x2 or 4x4 options depending on the size of the ulcer.
• In order to make your ulcer to stay open, use iodine impregnated gauze. You can buy it here.

In order to prevent to prevent skin ulcers, changing your position often will reduce stress on the skin.

• If you use a wheelchair, change your position at least every one hour.
• Use air filled, water filled, or gel cushions to relieve the pressure. Just do not use same cushion all the time.