{"id":1319,"date":"2023-09-25T18:57:57","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T18:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=1319"},"modified":"2023-10-16T08:34:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T08:34:36","slug":"managing-peptic-ulcers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/womens-health-medications\/managing-peptic-ulcers\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing and Treating External (Skin) Ulcers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>External ulcers are breaks in the skin, occurring either as open sores or in the underlying layers of skin.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>External ulcers are usually caused by a lack of blood flow to an area in the body, for a wide variety of reasons, including chronic illness and staying in the same position for long periods of time.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Skin ulcers are preventable, and most are treatable.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Skin ulcers need to be protected from infection.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Catching ulcers early is the most important way to keep them from becoming more serious.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin ulcers, sometimes called skin lesions or sores, are breaks in the skin, either at the surface or underneath. Left untreated, they open the body to infection and other health problems and can keep you from your daily activities. Learn about the different types of external ulcers, why they happen, how they can be treated and prevented, and how to get the support you need for skin ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Types of External Ulcers<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Type of Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Common Locations<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Appearance<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Underlying Causes<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Associated Symptoms<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Treatment Approaches<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Venous Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower legs<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shallow, red<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor venous circulation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling, itching<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compression, wound care<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Arterial Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feet, toes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep, pale<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor arterial circulation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain, cold skin<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications, surgery<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Diabetic Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feet<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Callused<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numbness, tingling<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood sugar control, care<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Pressure Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bony areas<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red, purple<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolonged pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain, tenderness<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure relief, dressings<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers, are open sores that occur when pressure is applied to the skin for an extended period of time. This can happen when someone is sitting or lying in the same position for too long, such as when they are bedridden or paralyzed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure ulcers can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the bony prominences, such as the heels, elbows, hips, and tailbone. This is because these areas have less padding and are more likely to be compressed against a hard surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vascular Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vascular ulcers are caused by reduced blood flow to the skin. This can be due to a variety of conditions, including peripheral vascular disease (PVD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and diabetes. Vascular ulcers are most common on the feet and legs, but can also occur on other parts of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vascular ulcers can be either venous or arterial.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous ulcers are a type of vascular ulcer that is caused by CVI. CVI is a condition in which the veins in the legs do not work properly, causing blood to pool in the legs. This pooling of blood can damage the skin and lead to an ulcer. Venous ulcers are most common on the lower legs, near the ankles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous ulcers are often less painful than arterial ulcers, but they can be prone to infection. If not treated right away, venous ulcers can lead to serious complications, such as cellulitis or skin cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arterial Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arterial ulcers are another type of vascular ulcer that is caused by PVD. PVD is a narrowing of the arteries in the legs and feet. This narrowing of the arteries can reduce blood flow to the skin and lead to an ulcer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arterial ulcers are often painful and can be difficult to heal. They are also at risk of infection. Like venous ulcers, arterial ulcers must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications, such as amputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Characteristic<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Vascular Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Venous Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Arterial Ulcer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Cause<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced blood flow to the skin<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic venous efficiency<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peripheral vascular disease<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Location<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most common on the feet and legs, but can occur anywhere in the body<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most common on the lower legs, near the ankles<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most common on the toes and feet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Appearance\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be shallow or deep, with irregular edges<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often shallow and large, with red or brown skin surrounding the ulcer<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often deep and punched-out, with pale or blue skin surrounding the ulcer<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Pain<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May be painful or painless<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May be painful, especially when standing or walking<\/span><\/td>\n<td>Often painful, even at rest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetic Skin Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with diabetes are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK537328\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at unique risk for skin ulcers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are most common on the feet and legs, but can also occur on other parts of the body, such as the hands and buttocks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetic ulcers can be very painful and difficult to heal. They also have a high risk of infection. If not treated promptly, diabetic ulcers can lead to amputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Causes and Risk Factors for Skin Ulcers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have noticed a consistent cause for external ulcers \u2014 problems with blood circulation. Not everyone with circulatory issues will be at risk for external ulcers, and not everyone with chronic diseases will have the same risk. However, some causes can be treated to reduce risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trauma and Injury<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your body has to heal from accidents or other injuries, it may not restore full blood flow, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/001224.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in extreme cases<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can even completely cut off small areas of the body from blood flow. This is particularly true of the limbs. If you\u2019ve had a severe injury in the past, ask your doctor about blood flow to the area and what can be done if problems arise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolonged Pressure<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, are caused by a combination of factors, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pressure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressure on the skin reduces blood flow and can damage the tissues.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Friction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Friction is the force that occurs when two surfaces rub against each other. This can damage the skin and make it more susceptible to infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shear: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shear is the force that occurs when two surfaces move against each other in opposite directions. This can also damage the tissues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who are at risk for developing pressure ulcers include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who are bedridden or paralyzed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who have limited mobility<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with poor circulation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who are malnourished<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who are elderly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1271\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/5.jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"Classification of diabetic foot ulcers\" width=\"780\" height=\"374\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetic ulcers are often the result of a combination of factors such as poor circulation, nerve damage, and high blood sugar levels. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which can impair blood flow and contribute to nerve damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetic ulcers are most common on the feet and legs, but they can also occur on other parts of the body. They can be very painful and are difficult to heal. If not treated promptly, they can lead to serious infection and even amputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Circulatory Disorders and Diseases<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any condition that cuts down on your body\u2019s ability to get blood where it needs to go brings with it a risk of vascular ulcers. This is particularly true of conditions that affect one area of the body, but it can also apply to systemic problems like PVD (arterial ulcers) and CVI (venous ulcers).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the two types of vascular ulcers are similar, they have different causes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vascular Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both types of vascular ulcers are caused by circulatory problems, one involves conditions that affect the veins, and the other the arteries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous Ulcers<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous ulcers are caused by a variety of conditions that impair or obstruct the veins, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Varicose veins<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phlebitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venous insufficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obesity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arterial Ulcers<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arterial ulcers are caused by a variety of conditions that narrow or block the arteries, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atherosclerosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peripheral artery disease (PAD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger&#8217;s disease)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raynaud&#8217;s disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypertension<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High cholesterol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skin Ulcers: Symptoms and Diagnosis<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Becoming familiar with the signs of an ulcer can help you distinguish it from other skin problems. Look for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenderness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Itchiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin discoloration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in skin texture<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1359\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/5.jpeg-1.jpg\" alt=\"stages of development of varicose ulcers\" width=\"780\" height=\"426\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also become familiar with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK532897\/#:~:text=Stage%201%3A%20just%20erythema%20of,of%20the%20muscle%20or%20bone\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the stages of ulcers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can help you decide if you need medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stage 1. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An uncomfortable or itchy red spot on the skin that doesn\u2019t go away. The outer layer of skin is unbroken.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stage 2.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ulcer has broken through the outer layer of skin and is a small wound. There may be some pus or other discharge.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stage 3. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A larger, deeper wound, possibly with fat tissue visible under the skin. These are particularly serious and need immediate medical attention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stage 4. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle or bone may be visible through the skin. Stage 4 ulcers are typically accompanied by signs of serious infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/6.jpeg-1.jpg\" alt=\"bedsores (pressure ulcers)\" width=\"780\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, ulcers are diagnosed by a physical examination and a patient history. Depending on the location and your medical history, you may need to undergo a biopsy to rule out other possibilities, such as skin cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>External Ulcer Treatment and Management<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important aspect of treating an ulcer is to keep it clean and away from possible sources of infection. An ulcer can heal quickly and you\u2019ll be at less risk of complications unless it becomes infected, so protection is the mainstay of skin ulcer care.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wound Care for Skin Ulcers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, day-to-day treatment will be similar to any other wound. You\u2019ll need to keep the ulcer dry, dress it with sterile bandages, and change the dressing regularly. Depending on the ulcer, antibiotic ointment may be helpful to limit infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics are usually prescribed for ulcers with signs of infection. These can be in ointment form or taken orally, depending on the circumstances. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage the pain. However, they should be used with caution, because NSAIDs can thin the blood, which can increase the risk of bleeding from skin ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgical Treatment\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later-stage ulcers may need debridement, a process where dead tissue is removed from the wound to help it heal. Other types of ulcers may have surgical options as well to treat the underlying causes. Chronic venous insufficiency, for example, can be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vascularsurgery.ucsf.edu\/conditions--procedures\/chronic-venous-insufficiency.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treated with surgery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the veins to help with blood flow. Some severe ulcers may need skin grafts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health and Support<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin ulcers can be difficult emotionally as well as physically. Both their causes and their symptoms can wear on your mental well-being. Support groups and one-on-one sessions can help you maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on your treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, a number of treatments are available for skin ulcers, depending on the type and severity of the ulcer. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Prevention Strategies<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/5.jpeg-min.jpg\" alt=\"soap and water\" width=\"780\" height=\"506\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventing external ulcers is the best way to maintain your health and catch them early. Take the following steps if you\u2019re at risk of external ulcers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regularly inspect your skin.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Look for early signs of ulcers, especially on the feet and hands, and see a doctor if you\u2019re concerned about them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use pressure relief techniques. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if your mobility is limited, physical therapists and other professionals can teach you how to change your position and redistribute the pressure on your body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maintain a hygiene regimen.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While you don\u2019t need antibiotic soap or any special cleaners, make sure to maintain your hygiene regimen even if you need to be immobile for a while.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid harsh cleaning products.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regularly change your position throughout the day.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Even staying lightly active will help you maintain your circulation and keep blood from pooling in various places on your body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep chronic conditions under control as much as possible.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Well-controlled chronic conditions are much less likely to result in ulcers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lifestyle changes. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifestyle changes are an important part of ulcer prevention. Making the following changes can limit your risk and help with management of existing ulcers:\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quitting smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular exercise that encourages circulation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vegetable-forward diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical therapy and training<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing alcohol consumption<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>You Don\u2019t Have to Live With External Ulcers\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Catching potential ulcers early and getting them treated before they become more serious is your best option. Prevention measures are essentially the same as for managing chronic disease and maintaining good overall health. Skin ulcers can be uncomfortable and even frightening, but they\u2019re not inevitable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Get the Lowest Prices on your Ulcer Medications<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, high drug prices shouldn\u2019t be seen as inevitable. BidRX helps you get the lowest price for your ulcer medication by making it easy to put your prescription up for bid. Pharmacies from around the country will offer you their best price, and you choose the offer that best meets your needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See how easy it is to save on all your prescriptions by visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our medications page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about the different types of skin ulcers, why they happen, how they\u2019re treated, and how to prevent them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-health-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1319"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1362,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions\/1362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}