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Black Scab On Ankle With Swollen Feet. Could It Be Gangrene?
my mother has a large black scab on her ankle that extends from her foot it started as a sore that was infected and it never healed. It went from fleshly red healed to brown and red and now its completely black and her feet are swollen. She has been seeing a skin doctor who have been giving her creams that do not work. nothing is healing and she now have had this for at least five months. She is 71 years old and say it dose not give her pain or bother her could it be gangreen? Should I take her to ER?
Thu, 1 Aug 2013
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
From your query i understood that your mother have Chronic non healing ulcer in ankle.
It sounds to be not a skin problem, but some vascular disease
Some common causes are Diabetic ulcer, Vascular diseases like varicose veins, peripheral vaso occlusive disease, vasculitis etc..
She need to be investigated for these.
Fasting and postprandial blood sugar.
Doppler study of lower limb.
If it is due to diabetes, it can easily controlled by insulin injections.
If it is due varicose veins, compression bandage can be used.
For infection, antibiotics are used.
If all the above diagnosis are ruled out, better take biopsy of wound for malignancy.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
If any doubt,Kindly reply.
Regards,
Dr.Manjeth
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
From your query i understood that your mother have Chronic non healing ulcer in ankle.
It sounds to be not a skin problem, but some vascular disease
Some common causes are Diabetic ulcer, Vascular diseases like varicose veins, peripheral vaso occlusive disease, vasculitis etc..
She need to be investigated for these.
Fasting and postprandial blood sugar.
Doppler study of lower limb.
If it is due to diabetes, it can easily controlled by insulin injections.
If it is due varicose veins, compression bandage can be used.
For infection, antibiotics are used.
If all the above diagnosis are ruled out, better take biopsy of wound for malignancy.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
If any doubt,Kindly reply.
Regards,
Dr.Manjeth
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