Atypical Ulcers

About 20% of skin ulcers have rare causes. If you develop a nonhealing or infected wound that doesn’t resemble a typical ulcer, see the experts at VIP Wound, with offices in Memphis, Tennessee, and Holly Springs, Mississippi. Their wound care specialists diagnose and treat atypical ulcers to speed healing and minimize scarring and other complications. Schedule an evaluation by calling the nearest office today.

What are atypical ulcers?

Atypical ulcers are those that have unusual features or causes. While typical ulcers often develop due to arterial or venous insufficiency, diabetes, pressure, or neuropathy, atypical ulcers have other causes, including cancer, blood disorders, and medication side effects. See the experts at VIP Wound at the first sign of an ulcer to determine how to heal it.

What are the symptoms of atypical ulcers?

Atypical ulcers are often characterized by:

• Unusual wound bed
• Inflammation
• Other nearby lesions
• Pain
• Blistering
• Irregular edges

To determine what’s causing atypical ulcers, see the VIP Wound experts for an assessment.

What causes atypical ulcers?

Atypical ulcers are caused by something other than pressure, diabetes, neuropathy, lymphedema, or arterial or venous insufficiency. Chronic ulcers, which are sometimes linked to significant or life-threatening problems, are less common and more challenging to diagnose. They can be caused by:

• Inflammation
• Autoimmune problems
• Cancer
• Blood disorders
• Infectious diseases
• Medication side effects

The exact cause of a wound might be difficult to determine, but doing so is critical to creating the most effective wound care treatment plan.

How are atypical ulcers diagnosed?

Diagnosing atypical wounds at VIP Wound involves discussing your symptoms and reviewing your medical history. A specialist checks your vital signs and examines your wound. They might take a wound biopsy and order blood work and imaging (X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, an ultrasound, or another procedure).

How are atypical ulcers treated?

Treating atypical wounds at VIP Wound depends on the type and severity of your wound. The skilled wound care experts offer:

• Wound cleaning
• Debridement (removal of infected and dead tissue)
• Specialized medical bandages or dressings
• Oral, injected, or topical medicines
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
• Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
• In-office dressing changes
• Wound care education
• Compression therapy
• Specialized footwear
• Off-loading
• Skin grafts
• Surgery
• Transfusions
• Combinations of wound care treatments

You might also need chemotherapy, electrochemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments if your atypical ulcer is caused by cancer.

Your VIP Wound specialist follows up to ensure optimal healing, no complications, and long-lasting results. Call the office anytime with concerns or questions about your treatment plan, and follow your at-home instructions exactly as directed by your provider.

Schedule an atypical wound evaluation at VIP Wound by calling the office today.