Tropical Ulcer

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CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

Painful rapidly enlarging ulcers usually on the lower limbs of individual living in hot, humid, tropical regions

CLINICAL FEATURES

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
  • Painful ulcers which enlarge rapidly
TREATMENT
  • Improve nutrition and diet
  • Clean ulcer with Hydrogen peroxide 3% solution 12 hourly for two weeks

Alternatively

  • Wash with Potassium permanganate soaks 1ml in 10,000mls of water
  • Debride the wound if necrotic
  • Daily Potassium permanganate soaks or cleaning
  • Dress the wound with Zinc paste with sulphur regularly till healed
  • Rest with leg elevated
  • Do a skin graft if wound is clean and shows granulation 

If local infection presents:

  • Give Amoxicillin 500mg PO 8 hourly for 7 days or
  • Erythromycin 500mg PO 6 hourly for 7 days
  • Children; Erythromycin 12.5 mg/kg body weight in 4 divided doses
  • If possible, carry out culture and sensitivity testing to determine suitable antibiotic therapy
  • Refer the patient to the hospital