Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers account for 90% of the ulcers seen in clinical practice, and it is estimated that 1% of the population will suffer from a venous ulcer at some point in their life. Many people that have venous ulcers have associated varicose veins.

It is this association that worries most people who have varicose veins and perhaps presents a further motive not to ignore varicose veins in the long term.

An ulcer can occur due to the chronic rise in pressure as a result of too much blood falling back through the veins (reflux). Damage to the delicate venous capillaries that should drain into the larger veins can result in the leaking of blood and plasma into the surrounding tissue.
Chemicals and enzymes in the blood and plasma then cause inflammation, itching, swelling and soreness. Eventually, this can lead to a break down of the skin causing an ulcer.

Ulcers are unlikely to heal unless the underlying cause is treated, in this case, the venous reflux. Hence the importance in dealing with varicose veins earlier rather than later.