An ulcer is an open lesion of the skin resulting in tissue loss. It is estimated that venous stasis ulcers affect 500,000 to 600,000 people in the United States every year and it is by far the most common type of leg ulcer seen (Foot Pain Explained). A person may have an ulcer on one or both legs and each leg may have multiple ulcerations. These ulcers are found in the inner part of the lower leg and can be very painful. Venous stasis is a very common disease of the leg. A venous stasis ulcer is a leg wound that does not heal because the veins of the legs are not pumping blood back to the heart. The blood pools in the lower leg which causes the leg to swell, the skin to open and form an ulcer. People who have a history of leg and feet swelling are more susceptible to these types of ulcers. These types of ulcers may be caused by varicose veins, obesity, hereditary factors, or being older. Inflammatory diseases such as vasculitis, lupus, scleroderma, or other rheumatological disease states can also help create poor venous function and diminished skin texture which may lead to venous stasis ulcers (Foot Pain Explained). Also, if you are not active or if you stand a lot, you may get venous stasis which may lead to an ulcer. The ulcer usually presents itself as an open sore in an area that already exhibits a red to brown discoloration that has probably been present for some time (Foot Pain Explained). The lower part of the leg will be swollen and skin may also be somewhat flaky and itching. Because of poor circulation, the wound does not heal as it usually would. Instead, it gets larger and may get infected. The base of the ulcer is usually red and it may be covered with a white to yellow tissue that is known as fibrous tissue whi... ... middle of paper ... ...r legs higher than your heart several times a day. 4. Avoid standing or sitting for a long period of time. 5. Wear support stockings all day every day to prevent swelling. If you have a problem with veins, you should see a vascular specialist. There are surgeries that close or remove superficial veins. This is important because it will make it less likely that you will get ulcers. If you do get an ulcer, get it treated as soon as possible. The ulcer will heal better and faster. Works Cited Venous Stasis Ulcer.” http://www.foot-pain-explained.com/venous-stasis-ulcer.html. Foot Pain Explained, 2006-2010. "âœMagic Skinâ Used To Heal Stubborn Wounds- Washington, DC." Georgetown University Hospital. 9 Apr. 2008. Web. 14 Aug. 2010. .
...ssure ulcers can be preventable if there is a systemic and multi-professional approach to their prevention and continuing assessment of skin integrity. Mary was determined and worked well with the physiotherapist; she was up and on her feet within a week of returning. Staff had to prompt her to move around the ward, which at times was hard for her due to her anxiety. Mary was deemed high risk for falls, so was put on a prevention of falls chart in conjunction with the pressure area chart and repositioning chart.
If you suffer from varicose veins and spider veins, you know firsthand the frustration of dealing with fatigue, swelling, itching, burning, and leg cramps. Compression socks help reduce the symptoms of painful varicose veins and when worn faithfully, they slow the progression of vein disease. However, compression alone does not correct the underlying vein problem.
Using the Skin Safety Model (SSM), prevention of pressure ulcers can be shifted to a more holistic patient-centered approach. The SSM comprises of four sections, potential contributing factors to skin injury, exacerbating elements, potential skin injury, and potential outcomes of skin injury. Each section then has subcategories of determinants that can change depending on the patient’s specific circumstance. The SSM helps the caregiver look at the patient as a whole and incorporate all of the patient’s risk factors that could potentially lead to impaired skin integrity or pressure ulcers (Campbell, Coyer, & Osborne,
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein inside the body. DVT can occur when the blood thickens, because the thickening of the blood can cause a clot to form. DVT will generally occur within the lower leg or thigh, as well as other parts of the body. A clot that occurs in a deep vein can possibly break off from the original vein. When it breaks off it can travel throughout the body’s bloodstream. It is called an embolus when the clot breaks off. The clots that broke off throughout the thighs, are more likely to cause Pulmonary Embolism, rather than the other blood clots within the remainder of the body. Pulmonary Embolism is a serious condition which can be caused by blood clots. It can damage your organs, more likely to be the lungs, and cause death of an individual.
Pressure ulcers are one of the most common problems health care facilities often face which causes pain and discomfort for the patient, cost effective to manage and impacts negatively on the hospital (Pieper, Langemo, & Cuddigan, 2009; Padula et al., 2011). The development of pressure ulcers occur when there is injury to the skin or tissue usually over bony prominences such as the coccyx, sacrum or heels from the increase of pressure and shear. This injury will compromise blood flow and result in ischemia due to lack of oxygen being delivered (Gyawali et al., 2011). Patients such as those who are critically ill or bed bounded are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers (O'Brien et al., 2014).
Fig1. This is a picture of a leg with full blown necrotizing fasciitis, just prior to surgery. Note the discoloration. The skin feels crepitant and the area is extremely tender. A larger picture with detail is available by clicking this thumbnail print.
The Beauty Industry being such a wide market of services and products include providing for the care of our skin, hair, selling of perfumes and cosmetics (“What is the Beauty Industry?”2014) and now developing more extensively into basic cosmetic surgery and treatments, now gives society a big opportunity to pamper and nourish themselves in more extensive ways. Throughout this essay, the branches of dermatology and dermal therapies will be explained; common skin disorders and specifically a treatment called ‘Ultrasonic Peeling’ and how it can potentially help with skin disorders imposed today will be explored and described in detail. After the investigation of what Ultrasonic Peeling is and how it works, I will also state my opinion on how well I think the treatment benefits its users, give my evaluation if I would consider using it, what I think the positives and negatives are and in scenario, assess whether it is a treatment that more salons should consider offering.
Normal skin has many types of bacteria living on it. Cellulitis can occur in anyone. Increases risk factors include: Diabetes, cracks or peeling skin between toes, skin wounds/trauma, chronic lower leg edema, Athletes foot, insect bites/stings or bites from animal or human, obesity, corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system , poor leg circulation (peripheral...
As an ICU nurse I constantly watch how patients develop pressure ulcers, a pressure ulcer is an area of skin that breaks down due to having constant friction and pressure, also from having limited movement and being in the same position over a prolonged period of time. Pressure Ulcers commonly occur in the buttocks, elbows, knees, back, shoulders, hips, heels, back of head, ankles and any other area with bony prominences. According to Cox, J. (2011) “Pressure ulcers are one of the most underrated conditions in critically ill patients. Despite the introduction of clinical practice guidelines and advances in medical technology, the prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients continues to escalate” (p. 364). Patients with critical conditions have many factors that affect their mobility and therefore predispose them to developing pressure ulcers. This issue is significant to the nursing practice because nurses are the main care givers of these patients and are the ones responsible for the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients. Nurses should be aware of the tools and resources available and know the different techniques in providing care for the prevention of such. The purpose of this paper is to identify possible research questions that relate to the development of pressure ulcers in ICU patients and in the end generate a research question using the PICO model. “The PICO framework and its variations were developed to answer health related questions” (Davies, K., 2011).
Voegeli D; British Journal of Nursing (BJN), 2010 Jul 8; 19 (13): 810, 812, 814 Care or harm: exploring essential components in skin care regimens.
A PE usually begins as a clot in a deep vein of the leg, which is called deep vein thrombosis. This clot can break and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block the artery. Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs if blood flow is restricted and slows down. This can occur when you don’t move around for long periods of time. Some examples that can cause this are some types of surgery, during a long trip in a car or airplane, and if you must stay in bed for an extended period of time. Under rare circumstances an air bubble, part of tumor, or other tissue travels to lungs and causes ...
The second and more serious type of bleeding is venous bleeding, which transpires when a vein has been severed and blood flows steadily. Most veins collapse when cut, which aids in controlling this type of external bleeding until medical attention can be received.
When a wound is determined as non-healable, as described by Sibbald et al (1), it should not be treated with a moist treatment and should be kept dry in order to reduce the risk of infection that would compromise the limb. It is also important to consider the patient 's preferences and try to control his pain, his discomfort in activities of daily living and the odour that their wound may produce. In this case, special attention must be given to infection prevention and control. Some charcoal dressing would be interesting in the care of our non-healable wounds at St. Mary 's Hospital.
The normal wound healing process mainly consists of four main stages being haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation or new tissue formation, and tissue remodeling or resolution. For a wound to heal well the above mentioned stages should occur in a sequential and orderly manner. Disturbances, abnormalities and delays in any of the above stages may lead to impaired healing or even chronic wounds. In adults, this process of normal healing takes place in the following steps (1)rapid haemostasis (2)appropriate inflammation (3)mesenchymal cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration to the wound site (4)suitable angiogenesis (5)prompt re-epithelialization and (6) proper synthesis, cross-linking, and alignment of collagen to provide strength to the healing tissue.
“Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine as a result of an imbalance of hydrochloric acid and pepsin. These acidic digestive juices are secreted by the cells of the stomach. Named for where they are found, “peptic ulcers are a very common and often reoccurring health problem, and it is estimated that more than 20 million Americans will experience a peptic ulcer in their lifetime” (Cleveland).