Scar Reduction for Leg Ulcers
- This type of ulcer is often associated with swelling and requires applying dressings designed to compress the wound. This increases blood flow to the affected area, which encourages healing and reduces scarring by promoting cell growth. Compression dressings can be enhanced with certain compounds, such as alginate wound dressings, which contain seaweed and have both anti-microbial and skin growth-stimulating properties, and collagen dressings that stimulate new tissue growth. In addition, ask your physician about synthetic skin substitutes, another option that can reduce scarring, particularly in severe wounds, as the synthetic skin contains properties that bond with current skin cells and protect the wound from infection.
- Arterial ulcers occur due to arterial disease, in which the walls of arteries that supply blood to the extremities are constricted or narrowed. The goals of these types of treatments are to restore circulation to the skin, which allows the body to produce healthy skin cells that can reduce the appearance of scars.
The first line of treatment includes bandaging the wound to prevent further infection. These bandages can be medicated or a simple bandage that prevents bacteria from infecting the wound. Next, a wound-care specialist may use a technique known as debridement, which helps remove dead tissue while leaving adjacent healthy tissue. The wound is then re-covered so that healthy tissue can begin growing in place of damaged tissue. - Neurotrophic ulcers are caused chiefly by diabetic conditions. When a person has diabetes, not only is blood flow impaired, but the nerves also do not function well---a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. In these cases, leg ulcers can worsen because a patient may not have enough sensation in the wound area to properly care for the wound. This may result in delayed treatment, which can cause scarring. Again, debridement may be used, and another option that is growing in use is medical-grade honey, which has antibacterial properties and has been shown to reduce scarring in people with leg ulcers, according to a 2009 paper published in the "European Journal of Clinical Microbiological Infectious Diseases." Medical-grade honey is also available as a medical dressing.
- In addition to seeking medical professional treatment, there are at-home methods you can practice to promote healing and scar reduction. They include regularly changing medical dressings; drinking plenty of water and other hydrating fluids; eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; exercising regularly, which can help restore blood flow to the affected area; and wearing and properly wrapping compression wraps or bandages.
