Effective Home Remedies to Cure Leg Ulcers

Leg ulcers are very painful in everyday life. They not only look hideous but limit your confidence. It is also an indication of serious health problems. Minor injuries cause leg ulcers where skin breaks and air passes with bacteria in the inner skin tissues.

Generally, damaged tissues heal naturally in one or two weeks, but in serious conditions, the damaged tissues form an ulcer that causes extreme pain.

Causes of Leg Ulcers?

Some common diseases cause ulcer formation in the leg, which includes.

Venous Disease

Venous disease is common, which contribute to the leg ulcer. It causes 80% of ulcer formation in the leg. Venous disease is a result of the wrong valves in the veins. When the veins are unable to send the blood to your heart, it causes blood to flow back in the legs, and the blood accumulation causes an ulcer.

Arterial Disease

Arterial disease is another cause to induce leg ulcers. This effect on 15% of leg ulcers and cause to block the arteries in the leg and reduce the blood flow to affected tissues.

Other Medical Conditions:

Leg ulcers also form because of medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.

Leg Ulcers: Signs

There are some general signs and signs of leg ulcer, including:

• Leg heaviness
• Ankles swelling
• Swollen veins
• An extended vein in the legs
• Leg pain
• Leg stain
• Flaky or irritated skin
• Hard skin around ulcers.

These signs are distinctive in different people depending on the condition. Generally, the leg ulcers go someday, but some are nonhealing. It is better to take a doctor’s assistance to treat and limit leg ulcers to avoid more complications. You will require a proper diagnosis of the condition before treating the ulcer.

Diagnosis of Leg Ulcers

Your doctor will ask for the diagnosis of complete physical.

Leg ulcers linked with limited blood flow will get a diagnosis from a doppler machine.

If some cases, your doctor may be advised to visit a vascular specialist.

After the diagnosis of a leg ulcer, you will have different options for the treatment of the condition.

Before heading to treatments, you can also try natural remedies for leg ulcers.

Natural Remedies for Leg Ulcers

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a natural healing herb widely popular in the treatment of several ailments. It is a well-known herbal remedy for the ancient world. Aloe vera works effectively for leg ulcers by preventing bacterial growth and infections. It provides healing compounds like anthraquinones and other hormones.

How to use it?

• Take out the fresh aloe vera gel and apply directly over the ulcer of your leg.
• Follow this remedy at least 2-3 times every day.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another best natural remedy for treating leg ulcers. It provides antibacterial properties from its content of fatty acid such as lauric acid. It reduces the inflammation and works effectively for healing leg ulcers.

Using coconut oil as a home remedy helps to heal the tear and cut on the skin and prevent the effect of microorganism infection. It promotes wound healing.

How to use it?

• Take 1-2 teaspoon pure coconut oil and apply over your leg ulcers.
• Follow this remedy 2-3 times every day to get effective healing.

Honey

Honey is the best home remedy for healing burns and wounds of leg ulcers. It reduces the inflammation and lowers down the pain and swelling. Honey also acts as antibacterial and reduce infection in the ulcer.

How to use it?

• Take some organic honey and apply over open ulcer of your legs.
• Wash it after 15-minutes.
• Do this remedy 2-3 times every day.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is also named as Centella Asiatica and commonly called as Centella. It is an herbaceous, and perennial plant belongs to the flowering plant family of Apiaceae. Gotu kola is a native plant of wetlands found in Asia. It is popular for medicinal and culinary purposes.

It is useful for treating open wounds, such as leg ulcers. Its compounds, including Madecassic acid and Asiatic acid, provide wound healing benefits.

How to use it?

• Use fresh or dried Gotu kola leaves and blend with water.
• Apply the Gotu kola leaves over the leg ulcers and wash after 15-20 minutes.
• Use this paste two times every day.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another home treatment for leg ulcers. It serves to treat various types of skin infections. According to research, the effectiveness of tea tree oil benefits to treat serious leg ulcers. It also prevents pain and bacterial results. It helps to treat and improve leg ulcers.

How to use it?

Take 12 drops of tea tree oil and 30 ml of coconut oil.

Mix both oil well and utilize this mixture on leg ulcers.

You can also store the leftover mixture in the clean bottle or container.

Do this remedy two times a day.

Hawthorn Berries

Hawthorn berries are regularly utilized for lessening pressure and weight, yet they are additionally very powerful in healing leg ulcers and open injuries. They have calming and antibacterial properties and helps to stimulate the healing procedure. However, fresh hawthorn berries are difficult to find. Still, you can get improvements all over.

People with diabetes and asthma are more prone to get leg ulcers.

Before using hawthorn, try a patch test to prevent allergies. Pregnant mothers and breastfeeding women should also avoid using hawthorn. Take your doctor’s help before adding a supplement in your diet.

If you don’t find any effects or improvements in 6-12 weeks, check with your doctor. People with heart problems should not try self-treatment. Use it under the doctor’s guidance.

How to use it?

Consume this product by mouth as instructed by product package and warnings.

Yarrow

Yarrow gives effective results like Hawthorn for using open wounds such as leg ulcers. It contributes to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Yarrow also helps to promote the healing process and injuries by decreasing swelling and pain.

How to use it?

• This home remedy requires to consume as a supplement of 350 mg to promote recovery.
• You can also apply ointment over ulcers.
• Follow this remedy every day for fast healing.

Yarrow is safe when consumed by mouth with foods. However, yarrow products comprise of thujone, which might not be safe for some people.

It requires to take under medical guidance and the recommended amount. In some cases, yarrow causes frequent urination and drowsiness. Yarrow also induces skin irritation. Therefore, it is necessary to do a patch test before using on wounds.

Specific Warnings & Precautions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding mother is not allowed to use yarrow as it affects the menstrual cycle and causes miscarriage. Make sure to consume by taking expert advice.

People with a bleeding disorder should avoid yarrow because it causes to increase the risk of bleeding.

People with ragweed plant allergy may get reactions from yarrow.

While undergoing surgery, avoid yarrow consumption because it increases bleeding after surgery.

If you are already taking yarrow, then stop it before two weeks of surgery.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular healing ingredient from the ancient times of India. It is well known for its antibacterial properties. It comprises of a compound called curcumin that effectively reduce the inflammation and heal wounds.

There are good foods, which increase the capacity of the body to heal the wound. Getting enough nutrients and vitamins stops the infection from growing and promote new tissues.

Turmeric is widely used in cooking and also helpful for recovering wounds. The turmeric is largely used in cosmetic industries and treat many skin problems.

How to use it?

• Add 1-teaspoon turmeric powder in some water.
• Make a thick paste and apply over leg ulcers.
• Let it get dry and wash with warm water.
• You can also drink one glass of hot milk by adding turmeric to reducing infection from the inner body.
• Follow this remedy two times a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple juice vinegar, or juice vinegar, is a vinegar produced using ripened squeezed apple and utilized in serving of mixed greens dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, nourishment additives, and chutneys. It is made by crushing apples, at that point crushing out the juice.

Apple cider vinegar is the best natural remedy for treating ulcers. It provides high acetic acid and a good source of many minerals, and vitamins which help to treat the microbial infection effectively like leg ulcers. It also helps to treat varicose veins and ulcers in the leg.

How to use it?

• You will need one tbsp of apple cider vinegar.
• Combine with two tablespoons of lukewarm water and some pepper.
• Take a washcloth and soak in the apple cider solution and place over the wound.
• Keep for 10-15 minutes.
• Follow this remedy two times a day.

Vaseline

Source: Amazon.com

Petroleum jelly also named as petrolatum. It is a blend of mineral oils and waxes, which structure a semisolid jelly type substance. This item remained the same since Robert Augustus Chesebrough found it in 1859. Chesebrough saw that oil laborers were using a gooey jelly to heal their injuries and burn.

It is commercially sold as vaseline. Vaseline creates a protective layer over the ulcer and prevents infection growth. It also prevents itchiness and scarring of ulcers.

However, if your ulcer requires dressing, then avoid using vaseline.

How to use it?

• Apply vaseline as a thin layer on the leg ulcers.
• You can use this remedy multiple times in a day.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Source: Amazon.com

Rosemary is an aromatic herb. It also found in North Africa, the USA, Mexico, England. Rosemary is an energizing citrus-like evergreen herb.

It is a powerful herb for aromatherapy from its essential oil. Rosemary is popularly used in cosmetics as it provides anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes healing and prevents germ attacks in conditions like leg ulcers.

How to use it?

• You will need rosemary essential oil – 3-4 drops.
• Coconut oil- 1-2 teaspoon
• Combine both the oils and apply over leg ulcers.
• You can follow this remedy for 2-3 times in a day.

Flaxseeds

Flax seeds are another food product that provides rich fiber. It grows in Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. These seeds come in golden yellow and reddish-brown color. They contain phytoestrogens and similar to estrogen hormones. Its fiber content is soluble. These seeds also provide omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid.

Generally, flaxseeds are eaten by mouth for treating colon damage, constipation, diarrhea, inflammation in the intestine lining. It is also helpful for treating ulcerative colitis, gastritis, and intestine inflammation.

Flax seeds are used orally for treating disorders like heart blood vessels, high triglyceride levels, bad cholesterol, hard arteries, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure.

These seeds are also helpful for managing

• Kidney Problems
• Acne
• Deficit-Hyperactivity
• Liver Problem
• Breast Pain
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Prediabetes
• Depression
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Malaria
• Sore Throat
• Bladder Inflammation
• Cough
• Respiratory Infection
• Cancer

The content of omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds benefits to treat leg ulcers and repair the wounds. It stops the infection from its antimicrobial qualities.

How to use it?

• Take one teaspoon ground flaxseeds and water.
• Blend the flaxseed and make a thick paste using some water.
• Apply the flaxseed paste on the leg ulcer.
• Keep it on the ulcer area for 15-20 minutes and clean it using water.
• You can also wrap the ulcer after flaxseed paste with plastic and keep it overnight.
• Consume it to get inner benefits.
• Follow this remedy for 1-2 times every day.

Chamomile

According to recent studies, chamomile oil also helpful for treating open wounds. It provides anti-inflammatory qualities, which lower the swelling and inflammation of the leg. It also provides anti-bacterial qualities and prevents infection.

How to use it?

Mix one teaspoon of chamomile herb and one cup of hot water.

Steep it for ten to fifteen minutes and strain. Let it cool down.

Soak a washcloth in the chamomile tea and wrap slowly over the leg ulcers. Leave this overnight.

Do this chamomile remedy for leg ulcers every day.

The above home remedies are safe options for treating leg ulcers. You can follow some preventive tips to stop the growth of ulcers.

Calendula or Marigold

The orange or bright yellowish marigold flowers are best for healing wounds. They can be used as healing balm, infusion, or ointment.

Calendula helps to promote healing by activating granulation tissue production.

According to scientific study, the extract of marigold used as ointment helps to treat leg ulcers. This ointment can be applied two times a day for 3-weeks.

Caution:

Avoid using Calendula if you have allergies with this plant. Also, pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers should not use it. Do not consume calendula 2-weeks before experiencing any surgery.

Diosmin

Diosmin is a plant-based chemical available in citrus fruits. It is useful for treating medical conditions.

It is used for the treatment of different disorders of blood vessels such as

• Varicose Veins
• Hemorrhoids
• Poor Circulation in The Legs
• Hemorrhage
• Swelling
• Liver Toxicity

Preventive Tips

• Manage healthy weight
• Place your leg lifted.
• Wear compression stockings while sleeping.
• Skip long hour sitting or standing.
• Do gentle exercise and do walking.
• Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Following the above tips are helpful for good health and prevent leg ulcers. Do not ignore leg ulcer, because they become worse with time.

Leg Ulcers: Side Effects

• Fever
• Large sore
• Extreme pain
• Swelling
• Skin inflammation

The fear of growing these complications is enough to try an effort to reduce nasty sores at the earliest. Practicing necessary precautions and using home remedies written above every day helps to heal leg ulcers with speed. If you notice a leg ulcer is not healing, then immediately talk with the doctor.

Other Home Remedies

Lift Leg

The reduced extremities should be lifted to reduce fluid accumulation in the leg and lower the further ulcer formation. Legs should be placed above your heart position. Taking frequent rest on the whole day can help. Add gradual activities in your everyday routine to increase blood circulation to the leg ulcer. You should take the doctor’s help before starting any treatment.

Cleansing and Care Wound

Cleaning and caring for your wound are more important to increase the healing process and know if the treatment is working. Use water and mild soap every day to wash your wounds.

According to the Clinic of Cleveland, gentle cleansing helps to take out the dead skin tissues and waste from the leg area.

Use a mirror while cleaning the ulcer to make this easy. You must also follow the instruction of your doctor for bandage and moist dressing every day. If any, apply the prescribed ointments on the wounds.

Compression

Compression treatment is another home remedy for treating leg ulcers. You can wear compression stockings found in medical stores. It helps to lower the swelling in the leg and promote blood circulation to wound areas. Follow the instructions to use stockings properly.

Expert views

Diabetic ulcers

Wearing proper therapeutic footwear is the best way to heal diabetic ulcers. You can also try saline water or the same moist dressing. It helps to kill the bacteria of environments.

To what extent does it take for a leg ulcer to mend?

Leg ulcers may take at least 3-4 hours to heal the wounds. However, some wounds may take more time to heal, which depends on the person’s health. This kind of ulcer requires medical help to treat the wound.

Why leg ulcers not heal?

In the case of nonhealing leg ulcers, then take medical help to find out the cause. Nonhealing leg ulcers have a hidden disease, which affects the healing ability of the body.

Why leg ulcer reoccurs?

If your leg ulcer occurs again and again, then it means that they have become chronic, and there is some underlying health condition. Chronic inflammation is a top cause of nonhealing leg ulcers. It may happen when the venous system is not able to pump enough blood back to your heart.

What are suitable creams for leg ulcers?

Gels and creams are prepared from effective natural ingredients. These are safe options to treat leg ulcers. You can apply herbal formulation for topical use prepared from herbs such as aloe vera and yarrow.

Wound Healing Nutrition Tips

Following home remedies only not enough to promote healing. You should provide nutrition to the inner body to speed up the healing process. People with good immunity and metabolism quickly recover from leg ulcers, scars, cut, and wounds.

Some ulcer types also affect bones. It can be risky for bedridden people, people with an unchanging position, and wheelchair.

If you follow healthful food selection, then your body speeds up recovery by getting vitamins, energy, minerals, and proteins for healing. Here are some necessary tips to follow.

Make a plan for a balanced and healthy meal. Include the right amount of vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy foods in the diet.

Consume fruits and vegetables containing rich vitamin C, such as spinach, and strawberries. Choose whole grains to get enough zinc. Eat proteins such as dairy, meat, seafood, and eggs.

Some wounds may require minerals and vitamin supplements to heal the wounds. These supplements require to use under doctor’s guidance.

Include protein in every snack or meal. Your menu should include yogurt, black beans, scrambled eggs, chicken, and cheese.

Keep yourself hydrated and drink enough water and sugarless beverages.

High-Protein Foods Fast Wound Healing

Consuming high protein foods provide necessary nutrient to your body to heal the wounds. Your body will need different types of nutrients for healing.

According to scientific research, eating protein-rich foods prevent healing delays. Here are some important high protein foods to include in your diet.

Beans

Beans contain a high source of proteins. You can choose black beans, lentils, split peas in your breakfast like soup, pasta, and macaroni.

Nuts

Nuts are another source of high proteins. You can include cashew, peanuts, almonds in your diet. You can have nuts as your snack to enhance the wound healing process.

Eggs

When you are experience leg ulcers and try to heal faster, include eggs in your diet to get high proteins. You can include eggs in a salad, casseroles, and pasta. Egg provides good protein that assists in wound healing.

Chicken

Do not forget to eat chicken as it is the healthiest source of protein. You can add chicken in different dishes such as stews, soups, snacks, and many more. You can buy chicken breast without bones and consume roasted to get high protein.

Milk

Consuming milk is another best way to increase body strength. If you are lactose intolerance, then choose alternative milk like almond milk, soy milk, and coconut milk to get enough protein. You can consume milk with cereals in the everyday morning.

Protein Supplements

If you are unable to eat above foods, then try protein supplements. There are different types of protein supplements to assist in wound healing such as

• Soy protein
• Whey protein
• Plant-based protein

Try the above home remedies and advice to heal the leg ulcer and wounds. Make sure to get medical guidance if you don’t see any improvement. Quickly stop using anything over a cut that causes inflammation or burning. Apart from that, use a healthy lifestyle, consume healthy foods, keep your body moving to recover fast.