If you or a family member has a sore on the leg or foot that has not healed in a few weeks — or one that heals and breaks open again — you are not alone, and it is worth taking seriously. A long-standing wound like this is called a chronic (non-healing) ulcer. On the leg, the two most common kinds are venous / varicose ulcers and diabetic (foot) ulcers. The reassuring part: once the reason it isn't healing is understood and addressed, the wound usually starts to improve — and there is a lot that proper, doctor-led care can do.
What is a leg or non-healing ulcer?
An ulcer is a break in the skin that exposes the tissue underneath and does not heal in the normal time. When a wound stays open for more than about 4–6 weeks, it is considered chronic. Chronic wounds get "stuck" because something is interfering with healing — commonly weak blood flow, ongoing pressure, high blood sugar, or low-grade infection.
The common types of leg ulcer
Different ulcers have different causes — and the treatment depends on getting this right.
| Type | Usually caused by | Often looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Venous / varicose ulcer | Weak leg-vein valves & varicose veins — blood pools in the lower leg | Shallow wound near the ankle/lower shin; swelling; darkened or itchy skin around it |
| Diabetic (foot) ulcer | Diabetes affecting nerves and circulation; pressure points | On the sole or toes; often painless because of numbness — which is why it's dangerous |
| Arterial ulcer | Poor artery blood supply to the leg | Painful, often on the foot/toes; cold, pale skin; needs urgent vascular assessment |
| Pressure sore | Constant pressure in people with limited mobility | Over bony areas (heel, hip); common in bed-bound patients |
Many patients have more than one factor at once — for example varicose veins and diabetes — which is exactly why self-treatment struggles and a proper evaluation matters.
Why some ulcers just won't heal
If a wound has stayed open for weeks or months, one or more of these is usually the reason:
- Poor circulation — weak veins (varicose) or narrowed arteries mean the wound doesn't get the blood, oxygen and nutrients it needs to close.
- Uncontrolled blood sugar — high sugar in diabetes slows healing and raises infection risk; controlling it is part of the treatment.
- Infection — a wound that is red, hot, smelly or oozing may be infected and needs proper attention.
- Ongoing pressure or swelling — standing for long hours, or leg swelling that isn't managed, keeps re-injuring the area.
- Wrong or irregular wound care — infrequent cleaning and dressing, or harsh home remedies, can set healing back.
How leg ulcers are properly treated
Good wound care works on the surface and the cause at the same time. In practice this means:
- 1. Find the cause — assessment for vein/artery circulation, blood sugar, infection and pressure, so treatment fits your ulcer.
- 2. Clean & care for the wound — regular, hygienic cleaning and appropriate dressing so the wound stays healthy and protected.
- 3. Treat what's underneath — controlling blood sugar, supporting circulation, managing swelling and relieving pressure on the area.
- 4. Review & adjust — following the wound over time and changing the plan as it improves, with guidance you can follow at home.
Our integrative approach at HEAL Nursing Home
HEAL Nursing Home is an integrative centre led by BAMS, MD (Ayurveda) physicians. For leg and non-healing ulcers we combine careful, regular wound care with authentic Ayurveda — as supportive care that works alongside your medical management (such as blood-sugar control and, where needed, vascular assessment), not as a replacement for it.
Our doctor-led ulcer care includes structured, at-home-friendly wound management with three simple steps — cleaning/washing the ulcer, medicated fumigation (dhoopan), and dressing — guided personally by our team, and reviewed as the wound changes. Every case is individual, so the plan is tailored to your ulcer and your overall health. We're honest about what to expect: outcomes depend on the cause, how long the wound has been present, and factors like diabetes and circulation — and we coordinate with your existing treatment throughout.
Simple things that help healing at home
- Keep the wound clean and dressed as advised — don't leave it open or apply random home remedies.
- Control blood sugar if you have diabetes — it directly affects healing.
- Elevate the leg when resting to reduce swelling (for venous ulcers), as guided by your doctor.
- Avoid long standing and tight footwear; check your feet daily if you are diabetic.
- Eat well — protein, fruit and vegetables support tissue repair.
- Don't smoke — it further reduces blood flow to the wound.
Get your ulcer looked at properly
Send us a photo of the wound and how long you've had it — our doctor will guide you on the right next step. Care can be at our Kharghar centre or couriered to you.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my leg ulcer heal even after months?
Are varicose ulcers and diabetic ulcers treated the same way?
Can Ayurveda heal a non-healing ulcer?
When is a leg ulcer an emergency?
Do I have to come to the clinic, or can you help remotely?
What does the ulcer care involve?
Related: learn more about our integrative OPD & IPD care, or book a consultation.