Any idea what this could be?

[Anyideaswhatthisis]

Hope the wise MN hive have experience that can help here.

mum is early 70s. Has neglected her health for years. Overweight. No exercise for years. High fat and sugar diet. Avoids doctors. Very fearful of them.

Finally got her to see medics because of severe breathlessness. Since then lots of medical contact. Been diagnosed with heart failure, Type 2 diabetes, high BP. Heart failure caused fluid on lungs hence the breathlessness.

Now on lots of meds - diuretic, heart meds and blood pressure.

when her legs were swollen fluid had started to seep out of her lower legs. She was then rubbing cream in it to stop dryness. It has become worse and worse and is now a scabby sore, Red around the outside. Saw GP. Just finished antibiotics. Still sore and red around the scab. Hurts her still. This is a few weeks now. It’s about the size of a 50p.

Anyone had similar? Any advice? I am trying to get her to GP again.

Everythung she has been diagnosed with means she will have poor wound healing, including poor circulation round legs. See if GP can prescribe some antibiotic cream for the scab or something similar but definitely- if it's causing her issues and not healed yet- do get her to a GP x

Sounds like her legs have ulcerated, it's very common with that range of conditions.

she may also have some cellulitis as well if it's red and itchy.

does she see any nurses - either district nurses or nurses at the practice? They are usually the best bet for ulcerated legs and usually have much better links with tissue viability nurses / oedema specialist nurses etc.

Thank you both. I’ve looked up leg ulcer and that does seem likely. I’ve done a bit of research. Hopefully I can persuade her to go back to the health centre.

Thank you both so much for replying. I wasn’t expecting such a quick response. 🙏

Sounds random but it might be worth trying manuka honey on the ulcer.

CharlotteStreetW1

good idea!

Oedematous legs becoming red is very common and usually not an infection (definitely not if in both legs)

It's called stasis dermatitis or venous ezcema.

It needs emollient, masses and masses of emollient so the leg isn't dry at all and then it does get better.