$Unique_ID{BRK01591}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Zinc Paste for Treatment of Leg Ulcers}
$Subject{ulcer skin treatment aging Skin Subcutaneous Tissue Zinc Paste ulcers
leg legs elderly debridement chloride debriding grafting age aged old older
geriatric geriatrics debride graft}
$Volume{L-20,T-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Zinc Paste for Treatment of Leg Ulcers


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QUESTION:  My father has been in a nursing home for several years now.  At 89
his condition is not very good, and he has ulcers on his legs which are very
difficult to treat.  A new doctor at the home has suggested using a paste made
from zinc as a first step in treating the problem, but we fear it is just
another easy way out, and so we need advice.  Do you know anything about this,
and if so what do you think about it?

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ANSWER:  Chronic ulcers of the leg in the elderly are a most difficult
situation.  When they have advanced a bit, the only solution is to clear the
wound of all old or contaminated tissues before proceeding with a skin graft
to cover the area.  But the process of cleaning away this tissue (called
debridement) is difficult and painful, and may often require a surgical
procedure.  In the older patient this poses the risks of anesthesia, plus the
cost and inconvenience of a hospital stay.
     I found the answer to your question in a recent article in the Journal of
Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology.  I found a report of the use of zinc
chloride paste as a relatively painless method of debriding such wounds as a
first step in treating chronic leg ulcers.  The paste is easy to apply, but
may cause some stinging and burning 2-3 hours after application.  This
sensation disappears after 24-48 hours.  The paste fixes to the tissue, and
then sloughs away in from 5-7 days, either by itself or after a whirlpool
treatment or two.  It leaves behind a clean ulcer, that may either heal by
itself or be suitable for grafting procedures.  There are certain precautions
that should be taken concerning the thickness and application of the paste,
but the method provides a bloodless, noninvasive method of treating these
disturbing ulcers that may be performed in the nursing home.  It looks as if
your new young doctor has come up with something quite valuable and is not
looking for an easy way out at all.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.