Caring for patients with leg ulcers and an underlying vasculitic condition

Timescaled monitoring to manage venous leg ulcers and chronic oedema

Venous leg ulcers and chronic oedema including lymphoedema are lifelong conditions that cause great distress to sufferers due to psychophysical symptoms. Time and resources spent on managing chronic wounds place an economic burden on healthcare providers, particularly with an anticipated increase in an ageing population and diminishing numbers of those providing long-term care. Resources are further challenged if wounds remain unhealed. The human costs are even greater, with patients often facing a lifetime of discomfort due to low awareness of venous disease, despite epidemiological studies. Possible causes of persistent venous disease may be misdiagnosis, mismanagement, or simply, no management if help is not sought. Therefore, it is important that chronic leg ulcers are managed with clinically effective regimes, reassessment, monitoring and appropriate referrals for adjunct management, alongside patient education. This article provides simple timescaled measurements to ensure timely interventions and appropriate care at each stage.

Management of Pain Associated with Selected Conditions in Dermatology

Dermatologists face a wide range of pain control challenges in daily practice, from the transient pain of dermatologic surgery to the persistent pain that plagues some chronic dermatologic conditions. Although the pathophysiology of pain is well described and the profound impact of dermatological pain on patients' quality of life is well appreciated, there is an identified need for clear therapeutic plans for providing symptomatic pain relief of common painful dermatoses. In this paper, we will review and clearly outline approaches to pain management of a number of common painful dermatoses such as herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia, ulcers, oral dermatoses, dysesthesias, and many others.

Case Presentation: Xenograft Resistance to Protease Degradation in a Vasculitic Ulcer

Vasculitic ulcers are related to numerous underlying etiologies including autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.The resulting ulcerations are associated with high levels of pain, inflammation and tissue necrosis. Current therapies, including surgical intervention, are limited by the underlying inflammatory process and complications secondary to the wound etiology. conservative care has been relatively unsuccessful in promoting wound closure.This case presentations reviews the successful results of using a xenograft in the treatment of an inflammatory ulcer associated with cryoglobulinemia and vasculitis. Product integrity was maintained postoperatively, compared to an allograft, thereby allowing the wound treatment site to progress to closure.The type of cross linkage of acellular grafts may have a direct effect on product stability and treatment outcomes.

A focus on ActiFormCool in the reduction of pain in wounds

Pain is as very common problem in wound management and is one that is often neglected. This has an impact on both healing rates and patient quality of life. Pain is an indication that something is wrong and acts as one of the body's most important protective mechanisms and as such, should never be ignored. A comprehensive assessment of pain is vital and a plan of care formed that considers the type of pain that is being experienced and what interventions should be used. ActiFormCool is an ionic hydrogel dressing that has the ability to reduce pain in painful wounds, and this natural type of intervention should be the first consideration in reducing pain.

Skin cooling, pain and chronic wound healing progression

There are many areas of wound care where theory does not always match the practical experiences of the patient. This article discusses the effects of two factors--skin cooling and pain--on chronic wound healing, and the role of pain and inflammation on the overall wound healing process.