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A venous leg ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lower leg, usually around the ankle, caused by poor blood flow through the leg veins. They can be slow to heal and are often linked to underlying varicose veins or a history of blood clots.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Venous leg ulcer, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See your GP or a wound care nurse for any leg ulcer that isn't healing, to arrange appropriate assessment and treatment.
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A venous leg ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lower leg, usually around the ankle, caused by poor blood flow through the leg veins. They can be slow to heal and are often linked to underlying varicose veins or a history of blood clots.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You have an open sore on your leg that isn't healing
A venous leg ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lower leg, usually around the ankle, caused by poor blood flow through the leg veins. They can be slow to heal and are often linked to underlying varicose veins or a history of blood clots.
Symptoms include a painful, open wound, sometimes with swelling, itching, and discoloured skin around the area. Proper treatment, particularly compression therapy, is important for healing and preventing recurrence.
See your GP or a wound care nurse for any leg ulcer that isn't healing, to arrange appropriate assessment and treatment.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
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BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Venous leg ulcers can take time to heal, but consistent compression therapy and wound care give the best chance of full recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Compression therapy is the single most important treatment for venous leg ulcers — wearing it consistently as prescribed makes a real difference to healing time.