Skin Health More Skin Conditions An Overview of Skin Ulcers By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer Facebook Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 09, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Casey Gallagher, MD Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Frequently Asked Questions A skin ulcer is a crater-like, open sore on the skin. The wound is roughly circular, the center of which is open and raw. Skin ulcers develop when there is a disintegration of tissue, and are caused by a multitude of different factors, from trauma, lack of circulation, or long-term pressure. Luckily, several treatment options can help to heal and prevent further complications. Verywell / Emily Roberts Symptoms Skin ulcers cause a crater-like depression in the skin, which may weep clear fluid (called serous), blood, or, when infected, pus. The outer border of a skin ulcer is often raised and inflamed. The skin around the ulcer can be discolored, raised, or thickened. Areas of the ulcer may turn black as the tissue dies. Skin ulcers generally start slowly and gradually worsen as the skin breaks down. In the early stages of a skin ulcer, you may just notice an area of discoloration, either darker or lighter than the surrounding skin tissue. The area may burn or itch. As the ulcer progresses, the skin tissue disintegrates and may look like the skin has been eroded away or has "disappeared." Skin erodes as ulcer progresses. Minor skin ulcers are shallow, affecting just the top layers of the skin (the epidermis). More serious skin ulcers can affect the lower layers of the skin (the dermis) and subcutaneous tissue. In extremely severe cases, the ulcer extends to the muscle and bone. Even small skin ulcers are a cause for concern because they are notoriously slow healers and can easily become infected. Causes There are several different types of skin ulcers. Each type of skin ulcer is caused by a different set of underlying factors, but the primary issue is disrupted blood flow. Anyone at any age can develop skin ulcers, but they are more common in the elderly, people with certain chronic diseases like diabetes and atherosclerosis, and those with mobility issues. Obesity, smoking, and pregnancy also put you at a higher risk. Because skin ulcers are caused by internal factors, they are very likely to reoccur. Types of skin ulcers include: Decubitus Ulcers Decubitus ulcers, also called pressure ulcers, pressure sores, or bedsores, are created when there is continued pressure on a particular area of the skin for long periods of time. This compresses the blood vessels, disrupting normal circulation in the area and causing the skin to break down. These types of ulcers most often develop around bony areas, since there is less fat there to cushion the skin. You'll find them most often on the hips, elbows, back, on the buttocks around the tailbone, and around the ankles and heels. People most at risk for pressure ulcers are those with limited mobility like the elderly, and those confined to a bed or in wheelchairs. Know the Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers Venous Skin Ulcers Venous skin ulcers are the most common types of skin ulcers. They are caused by poor blood circulation in the legs when blood pools in the veins rather than being sent back to the heart. This leaks into surrounding tissue, causing the tissue to break down. Venous skin ulcers usually form on the lower leg. Varicose veins, obesity, lack of activity, and pregnancy all put you at a higher risk for developing these ulcers. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Chronic venous leg ulcer. Hemjaa / Getty Images Arterial Skin Ulcers When arteries aren't delivering blood to the skin properly, arterial skin ulcers can develop. Like venous ulcers, arterial skin ulcers are more common on the extremities, especially the lower legs. Any condition that compromises your circulation makes you more likely to develop arterial skin ulcers. Neuropathic Skin Ulcers Neuropathic skin ulcers are most common in people with diabetes, so they're often called diabetic foot ulcers. They happen when damage to the nerves causes a loss of sensation in parts of the feet. You won't feel when your feet are tired and need a rest, or if there are small injuries that need to be addressed. Coupled with compromised circulation, these wounds aren't able to heal and, over time, an ulcer develops. Neuropathic skin ulcers typically form on the bottoms of the feet. Because of the loss of feeling in the foot, these ulcers may not hurt, so they are easy to ignore. As with any ulcer, it's important you treat these as soon as possible, even if they aren't painful enough to be bothersome. Otherwise, they can quickly progress to something more serious. Ulcer-Like Skin Wounds These aren't technically skin ulcers because they aren't caused by an internal factor (like lack of circulation) but rather an injury. When the skin has been rubbed away it can leave a crater-like wound that looks rather like an ulcer. Poor-fitting shoes or athletic equipment, or repetitive motions like shoveling, can abrade the skin and leave a crater-like wound. After a large cystic breakout or boil has drained, you may have a roundish-shaped area of skin with a depressed center. The good news is that most of these ulcer-like wounds are very superficial and will heal on their own. Deep wounds should be seen by a healthcare provider. Uncommon Causes of Skin Ulcers These causes are less common: Basal cell carcinoma and melanoma skin cancer Certain conditions, like pyoderma gangrenosum and some autoimmune disorders Fungal, bacterial, or viral infections Certain medications (warfarin for example) Radiation burns Long-term exposure to moisture (skin maceration) In rarer instances, people cause their own skin ulcers by constantly picking or digging at a wound, or using ill-advised home remedies that further breakdown of the skin. Diagnosis If you suspect you have a skin ulcer or any wound that isn't healing well, you should see your healthcare provider. Even minor skin ulcers can progress to something quite serious in a short span of time. Because skin ulcers are notoriously slow to heal, you'll likely need medical advice and intervention to help treat them. A healthcare provider can generally diagnose a skin ulcer by simply looking at it. In some cases, she may order an X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan to check the ulcer and veins. When you go in to have your skin ulcer examined, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your health and will want to know how long you've had the ulcer, if it's growing or healing, painful, or if it bleeds. Skin ulcers are classified as either acute or chronic. Acute ulcers are those that heal within about 12 weeks' time. Ulcers that are not healing or not healing well after 12 weeks are considered chronic. It's almost as if the skin gets tired of trying to repair the ulcer and decides having a wound is its new normal. Of the two, chronic skin ulcers are obviously more serious. Chronic ulcers, even small ones, are prone to infection and can cause a lot of pain. Treatment Treatment for skin ulcers is tailored to your situation and depends largely on the type of ulcer and its severity. Small superficial ulcers and ulcer-like wounds can generally be treated at home, especially if they are shallow and you don't have an underlying problem that impedes healing. Cover the ulcer with a bandage to keep it clean and protected. When to Call a Healthcare Provider If the ulcer is large or deep, growing in size, incredibly painful, or if you have any signs of infection (increased redness, pain, swelling, and/or pus), you notice a bad smell coming from your ulcer, or you're running a fever, call your healthcare provider right away.You'll also want to call your healthcare provider if your ulcer, no matter how minor, isn't showing signs healing after a week to 10 days. In most cases, the ulcer will be dressed to protect the wound. However, if your ulcer is draining considerably, your healthcare provider may recommend leaving the wound uncovered. Dressing the ulcer if it's draining considerably can impede healing. If your ulcer is painful, pain medication can be prescribed. Antibiotics may also be prescribed either prophylactically to prevent infection or to treat an already infected wound. Debridement is done to remove dead tissue from more serious ulcers. For deep ulcers or those that aren't healing after a long period of time, skin grafts may be needed. In the most severe cases, part of the foot, leg, or other appendage may have to be amputated. Restoring good circulation is key in treating and preventing ulcers. This includes elevating the legs, wearing compression stockings, reducing pressure on ulcer-prone areas, superficial vein surgery. Leg ulcers, in particular, are incredibly likely to reoccur, so compression stockings are often needed to be worn for life. Skin ulcers are very slow-healing wounds. Getting them healed properly requires strict adherence to the treatment plan your healthcare provider has devised for you, plus time and patience. Prevention If you're prone to developing skin ulcers, a visit to your healthcare provider is in order. They can help you develop a plan to prevent them. One factor you may not consider, but is still an important component to your ulcer treatment, is eating a healthy, nutritious diet. Nutritional deficiencies can make it harder for the ulcer to heal. Lifestyle changes are also helpful. Quitting smoking, exercising to increase blood flow, losing weight, and keeping diabetes under control can help prevent ulcers from developing. How to Prevent Pressure Ulcers A Word From Verywell Having a skin ulcer, especially a chronic ulcer, can interfere with your life. You may be under constant pain. Socializing may be difficult because you have a hard time moving around, or are embarrassed by the odor that is coming from your ulcer. So, be on alert for signs of depression and let your healthcare provider know if you are feeling depressed. Always keep your healthcare provider apprised of any changes in your skin ulcer, ask questions, and do your best to follow your ulcer treatment and prevention plan. This will give you the best possible outcome. Frequently Asked Questions How is an ulcer treated? Ulcer treatment will depend on its severity and type. Serious ulcers may require debridement, which is the removal of dead tissue. A skin graft, a procedure that involves replacing damaged skin with healthy skin, may be recommended for deep or chronic ulcers. A small, shallow ulcer can sometimes be treated at home by cleaning the wound and covering it with a bandage. What is a pressure sore? Pressure sores are a type of skin ulcer caused when sustained pressure on a specific area leads to the breakdown of skin. It can eventually expose the underlying tissues or bone. What are finger ulcers? Finger ulcers, also called digital ulcers, are skin ulcerations usually located on the tip of a finger. Like other types of ulcer, they are often caused by decreased blood flow and poor circulation. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Iqbal A, Jan A, Wajid MA, Tariq S. Management of chronic non-healing wounds by hirudotherapy. World J Plast Surg. 2017;6(1):9-17. Al Aboud AM, Manna B. Wound pressure injury management. StatPearls. Bhattacharya S, Mishra RK. Pressure ulcers: Current understanding and newer modalities of treatment. Indian J Plast Surg. 2015;48(1):4-16. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.155260 Gloviczki P, Comerota AJ, Dalsing MC, et al. The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53(5 Suppl):2S-48S. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2011.01.079 Forster R, Pagnamenta F. Dressings and topical agents for arterial leg ulcers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD001836. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001836.pub3 Volmer-thole M, Lobmann R. Neuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(6). doi:10.3390/ijms17060917 Brienza D, Antokal S, Herbe L, et al. Friction-induced skin injuries-are they pressure ulcers? An updated NPUAP white paper. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2015;42(1):62-4. doi:10.1097/WON.0000000000000102 Dogra S, Sarangal R. Summary of recommendations for leg ulcers. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(3):400-7. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.137829 Manna B, Morrison CA. Wound debridement. StatPearls. University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine. Digital ulcers in scleroderma. Additional Reading Caimi G, Canino B, Lo Presti R, Urso C, Hopps E. Clinical Conditions Responsible for Hyperviscosity and Skin Ulcers Complications. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. 2017;67(1):25-34. DOI: 10.3233/CH-160218. Nelson EA, Adderley U. Venous Leg Ulcers. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2016 Jan 15;2016. pii: 1902. Panuncialman J, Falanga V. Unusual Causes of Cutaneous Ulceration. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90(6):1161-1180. DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2010.08.006. Reddy M. Pressure Ulcers: Treatment. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015 Dec 11;2015. pii: 1901.