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Small Skin Ulcers - Treatment.

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bainbrig | 16:43 Sun 17th Dec 2017 | Body & Soul
13 Answers
I'm an amputee, and wear a heavy silicone liner on what remains of my leg. Usually very efficient, but it has drawbacks.

It means that I have a warm, and slightly damp environment for my stump. Thus, I often get small pimples behind my knee. These usually just run their course, (a bit painful sometimes, but otherwise no problem), and go away.

Occasionally, they hang about and burst a bit more than usual, and end up as small (5mm max) ulcers - by which I mean little craters. Not much (if any) exudate, but the unhealed skin is painful when inevitably pulled about.

GP not much use, as the standard remedy seems to be not to wear the liner for a month or two. Which would put me in a wheelchair, as no liner = no leg.

Prosthetic department similarly useful, as they recommend seeing your GP (they wouldn't if they'd met mine).

So what I'm asking here is this: any recommendations for conventional OR unconventional remedies for skin-healing, bearing in mind that any dressings must be very thin - otherwise they disrupt the operation of the prosthesis.

Any ideas welcomed!

BB
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Gosh brainbrig, sounds very uncomfortable . How about dabbing with Betadine and letting the air dry them out ? Good luck !
Question Author
Yes, Betadine is handy, and I can keep the liner off for 10-20 minutes (during which time I am obviously immobilised!), so it might help a bit. I'll give it a go, and thanks.

BB
As you mention damp, I wonder if it is worth trying athlete's foot treatment like Canestan.
Visit your pharmacist, usually very helpful.
BB you can get various damp skin protectors that are used by sportsmen and women. Some of them can be used on broken skin and some can't but they all have the same intended effect which is to insulate the skin from the damp environment and also reduce friction. Some can be used over broken skin and some cannot Given that you are getting pimples which says to me blocked skin glands, can I also suggest that you VERY gently exfoliate over your stump....a normal flannel or a muslin facial cleansing cloth should be sufficient. Here are some of the skin protection products I mean but a personal recommendation might be better....are you on any amputee forums?

anyway here's what I found on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=anti+chafing+cream&sprefix=anti+ch%2Caps%2C133&crid=12GSKO2X9RVUA&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aanti+chafing+cream
The treatment really centres around the diagnosis and the diagnosis is suggested by the smell and as you are an amputee, you will realise that and have your pet treatments.
From your post it would seem that infection is not the problem, but more of a contact dermatitis or as Hopkirk suggests, a fungal infection, although you would recognise the "dank" smell of a fungus.
My suggestion is that you use, initially a rather bland cream called Sudocrem which can be obtained over the counter ( I think, certainly on the Continent)
I assume, that you are a diabetic......I don't know why?
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/272206744?sc_cmp=ppc*GHS+-+Grocery+-+New*PX+%7C+Shopping+GSC+%7C+All+Products*PRODUCT+GROUP272206744*&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlMr2kr-R2AIVKBbTCh0qhwbyEAQYASABEgJljPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

There you go, I don't usually give links but it would appear that I am going soft in my old age.

The skin rash would suggest (small vesicles) that you may well be allergic to the silicone line.
Is there an alternative?
Question Author
Thanks sqad, Woofgang; useful insights.

Dampness is caused by liner, rather than skin. No smell, liitle or no exudate.

Yes Type II, although amputation was drink-related rather than vascular. Been wearing the liner for 12 years, so probably not allergic although I suppose it can develop.

I’ll investigate your suggestions post haste.

BB
BB I am not sure what you mean by dampness is caused by liner....but unless you put the liner on damp for some reason, the damp will be coming from your own perspiration and the liner is preventing it from evaporating which is why I talked about damp skin.
It appears that your issue is caused by sweat, have you tried something like cavilon or Derma S, both are very good barrier creams, there is also a spray version of Derma, if you have an open sore this would be better.
I don't know if this helpful at all....just a thought but would Opsite be beneficial at all? My father was an amputee from an accident and he had a sock type thing over his stump but didn't actually experience what you are going thru. My other half although not an amputee uses Opsite for problems on their legs. Sorry if not applicable.
Question Author
Woofgang: yes, of course, it’s the airless, warm and sweaty environment wot does it.

Thanks for the other ideas - and dunnitall I’ve just ordered some OpSite dressings - great minds...

BB
I hope something helps you :)

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