Aftercare for your healed leg ulcer leaflet

Aftercare for your healed leg ulcer

We are delighted that your leg ulcer has healed. However, we know there is a chance of your ulcer coming back or new ulcers developing. This leaflet provides advice to help you prevent further leg ulcers developing:

Compression hosiery

Wear your prescribed compression hosiery every day to improve your blood supply by helping your veins work better and control any swelling.
Caution is needed and/or support from carers/family to put on and take off your hosiery to avoid damage to your skin and the hosiery
Throughout the day check for and smooth out any wrinkles in the hosiery and ensure they are positioned correctly
If your hosiery becomes torn or laddered, contact your GP as the hosiery should be replaced
Take off your hosiery every evening before going to bed, unless you have been advised otherwise
Some open-toe hosiery may be left on overnight; however, they must be removed at least twice a week for skin care
Wash your hosiery inside out regularly (ideally daily) following the instructions in the pack, which includes information about avoiding fabric conditioner and avoiding drying them in a tumble dryer
If you lose or gain weight you may need to be re-measured. Please inform your GP if this occurs
Your circulation can change so please contact your GP if you think you are developing problems with the blood flow to your feet such as new pain, discolouration or numbness
Request new compression hosiery from your GP every six months if there has been no need for a hosiery review before this time.

Skin care

Take care not to injure the skin on your legs
Gently wash, dry and moisturise your legs daily - preferably in the evening after removing your hosiery which allows the cream to soak in overnight.
If you moisturise your skin in the morning, ensure the cream is absorbed into your skin before applying your hosiery
Emollients are flammable, so please read your emollient's instruction leaflet and be cautious as the cream can easily ignite with a naked flame or a cigarette
Clean and dry in all skin creases/folds on your legs and feet, including between the toes. The skin between the toes is a common place for fungal infections to start and this can lead to skin breakdown and infection
Avoid using perfumed soaps as these can dry your skin. If you have been prescribed a soap substitute, use this on your legs
Use a non-perfumed cream or your prescribed cream and apply in downward strokes in the direction of hair growth to reduce the risk of hair follicle irritation
You should contact your Community Nursing team if a new ulcer or injury appears on your lower leg as an early assessment is key to quicker healing times.

Exercise and leg elevation

Keep active as much as possible as it promotes a healthy circulation
Muscle contraction when you walk or move your legs helps to squeeze your veins which helps the blood to flow
If you are less mobile, exercise your leg muscles by moving your foot up and down at the ankle and/or rotating your ankle clockwise and then anti clockwise
Sleep in bed at night rather than a chair, to improve blood flow
Elevate your legs on a chair or stool when you sit down, preferably to hip level. Try to keep the weight of your legs off your heels when you elevate them on a chair or stool by using a soft pillow or letting your heels hang over the edge. This helps to avoid developing a pressure ulcer to your heel
Avoid standing still for long periods

Diet

Eat a well-balanced diet to help keep your skin in a good condition. Seek dietary advice if you need support with this. For more information visit
Eating a balanced diet - NHS
Make sure you keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water, unless you have been advised to drink a particular amount.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, consider losing weight as obesity is a risk factor in developing venous leg ulcers again.

Medication

Take the medication that you have been prescribed.

If you smoke, you should cut down and preferably stop as smoking causes damage to your circulatory system which increases your risk of leg ulcers.
Contact your GP practice or visit https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/smoking for advice if you need help with this.
You should contact your Community Nursing team if an ulcer appears or you have a new injury to the lower leg as an early assessment is key to quicker healing times.

Your Community Nursing Team is:
Tel: .. .

For more information about leg care visit www.legsmatter.org

First Community provides front-line NHS community healthcare services in east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We provide first-rate care, through our first-rate people, offering first-rate value. For more information visit: www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email: fchc.enquiries@nhs.net Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5RA