Management of nonhealing venous ulcer in systemic sclerosis with leech therapy—A case report

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disease characterized by autoimmune pathogenesis, alterations to the vascular system, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Nonhealing venous ulcers are quite common in SSc patients. A 32 years old female was brought with a foul-smelling ulcer with purulent discharge which was not healed despite using the allopathic treatment for 2 months. Even with treatment, it got worsened so the fear of amputation of leg enforced her to take Ayurvedic consultation. After 1 month of treatment with leech therapy along with Ayurvedic medicines and 3 months of follow-up, the wound got healed. It is concluded that leech therapy with Ayurvedic medicines is highly effective for the management of nonhealing venous ulcers.

Keywords

• leech therapy
• nonhealing venous ulcer
• systemic sclerosis