Venous skin ulcer: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, rapidly worsening illness or uncontrolled bleeding.

   Sudden chest pain, unexplained breathlessness or coughing up blood can be signs of a clot in the lungs and also require emergency help.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact your healthcare service promptly if:

   • The ulcer is becoming larger or more painful
   • Redness, warmth or swelling is spreading beyond the wound
   • There is new pus, fever or a general feeling of illness
   • The foot becomes unusually pale, blue, cold or numb
   • Compression causes severe pain or marked colour change
   • The wound develops a raised, hard or repeatedly bleeding area

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if you have a break in the skin below the knee that is not healing, especially if you also have leg swelling, varicose veins or brown skin changes.

   Early assessment can identify the cause and prevent unsuitable treatment.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Venous skin ulcer. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.