Treating open sores on lower legs. Any advice?

My mother had that happen when she had edema in her leg. They need to be treated by wound care care. Compression bandages and special medicated wrapping healed it. Don’t wait, the skin can degrade very quickly.

Please check out online all the different types of compression socks. The traditional ones are SO difficult to get on and if the person is uncooperative, it can be a 45 minute struggle(!) Hopefully there are newer versions that will be appropriate. Best wishes & a hug 🤗

She can become septic so I would get her to a doctor ASAP. If not a dictor an ER. Does Mom have diabetes or CHF?

Thank you for your advice. I did speak to the RN today at the ALF. They have bandaged the wound and the doctor is ordering Wound Care. I appreciate the guidance so much.

From what I read Mom needs to wear compression socks. If she does not like the full foot ones, there are ones with the toes out and heels. There are ones that only go to the ankles.

"In general, venous insufficiency does not pose a serious health threat; however, it can become disabling and cause pain as the condition worsens. In addition, if allowed to continue untreated, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can lead to skin changes, skin ulcers, and infections.Jul 16, 2021"

From what I got out of the above it needs to be treated to keep from getting the sores. Keeping the leg moisturized like you are doing is good. But if these sores do not heal what I read said septis can set in. She needs to see a Phlebologist if this is a vein thing.

Dampen a gauze bandage lightly with water add goldenseal powder to it apply to wounds and wrap. Will stop infection and dry the wound up.

I see a lot of posts that recommend different "toppings" If the wound is open, consider that certain products may not be sterile. Best to see a wound specialist. Yes there are many people who cannot tolerate compression stockings. Remember to tell to the doctor for other possible options.

Nurse Mates has some really cute compression. I think a lot of folks get the idea of 'old folk' compression socks that are either just white or black. I have some very funky ones, some with pigs flying, some with paw prints, some tye dyed. (Believe it or not, hubby will wear the tye dyed ones out in public with shorts, as he broke his leg and needs them, too). I've found that for me, the thinner ones work just as good as the thick bulky ones.
Good luck!

All great treatment advice. One is missing: Cellulose Gel instead of the antibiotic such as Bacitracin or Mupirocin. Learned from Wound Care. After MONTHS of trying antibiotic cream and bandages, the Cellulose Gel cleared them right up. Made sense, our bodies use Cellulose to repair the cells/skin. Also ask your WC Dr for referral to Lymphedema Therapy. We couldn't keep the swelling down either. Sometimes a sore would open and just ooze water for days. The therapist will teach you to do Lymphatic Massage which moves the water up and out. Gosh, 2 hrs after 1st massage, her bladder was really in overdrive. The therapist, because of veinous insufficiency, got her the Compression Boot mentioned in other recs for both legs. Works GREAT! Available thru Tactile Medical. Also, since the comp hose was a no go (and actually caused more sores) the therapist got approval for Velcro Compression Straps. Easier to put on and adjust, more comfortable to wear, and, unlike hose, can be worn while sleeping. The straps are called CircAid Kits. Look them up. By using all 3, we no longer have the swollen leg issues and NO SORES!! Wish you and mom the best!!

Perhaps a vascular surgeon could discuss this issue and other options with you and your mom: knowing what can happen if there isn't cooperation, may give mom some insights into her future.