Mid October

My leg looks kind of "chubby" from the edema but I thought it looked better while I was taking the pic. As one can notice the 'ring' has gotten smaller. Again, I generally wash the ulcer with a washcloth with a squirt of Hibiclens while showering. The ulcer produces no pain so washing isn't an issue. After showering I let it dry real well and then apply some Neosporin on the edges after which I cover with a piece of  soft paper towel. "Viva" brand paper towel is the best I've found so far, soft and absorbent.

Also a good tape is required. I've been forced to use all types of tape throughout the years. Its best to purchase online. The medical tape I see at my local drugstores is really expensive about $6 bucks a roll and its low quality clowntape. The 3M Micropore tape works great. I like the 2" or 3" widths. Even when I had my "leaky leg" problem the Micropore tape held up. The pic shows a 6 pack of Micropore I just got online for about $10 bucks delivered.

To save a few bucks I have no problem using Wal-Mart or Target house label versions of Neosporin. I'm not sure why its so expensive. I have a Target near me so i nave been using their 'up&up' triple antibiotic salve. Its at least 50% less costly than the Neosporin brand.

Early Fall

This pic looks alot like the one from August. The actual size of the ulcer has been reduced. I've gotten a little bit of edema around the ankle and I had a flareup which has since healed, located on the side of my ankle. Flareups generally come about once every few months and follow the same routine. The area hurts like a deep pimple and then a purplish node or bulb appears, about the size of a pea. It breaks and bleeds like crazy. An actual hole will appear. After a few days it will heal up.I'm not sure why I get flareups. They just happen without warning. Even with the increase in exercise which seems to help the ulcer, it has no effect on flareups.