Ulcers can result in complete loss of the epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat.

A skin ulcer is often visible in the event of exposure to heat or cold, irritation, or a problem with blood circulation.

Chronic ulcer symptoms usually include increasing pain, friable granulation tissue, foul odour, and wound breakdown instead of healing.

Especially, chronic wounds and ulcers are caused by poor circulation, either through cardiovascular issues or external pressure from a bed or a wheelchair.

[7] Venous leg ulcers due to impaired circulation or a blood flow disorder are more common in the elderly.

It is important to consider such causes if the skin ulcerations don't show improvement with antibiotic treatments and when other systemic symptoms are present.

It is advised not to use surgical procedures on ulcerations caused by Behçet or pyoderma gangraenosum since those diseases usually exhibit pathergy.

Treatment is typically to avoid the ulcer getting infected, remove any excess discharge, maintain a moist wound environment, control the edema, and ease pain caused by nerve and tissue damage.

Improving the circulation is important in treating skin ulcers, and patients are consequently usually recommended to exercise, stop smoking, and lose weight.

There is limited evidence that negative-pressure wound therapy may be effective in reducing the time to healing of leg ulcers.