What Is Bazin’s Ulcer?

Bazin’s ulcer (also known as erythema induratum) is a state of cold sensitivity on a part of leg frequently exposed to the wind, rain and cold. It occurs in young females and usually in obese individuals with thick ankles and increased amount of deposition of subcutaneous fat.

The parts affected mainly are the skin of lower third of the leg (calves) and ankle. Though less frequently, thighs and arms may also be involved. This is a very rarely occurring disease nowadays.

The exact cause for the development of such condition is not clear and is supposed to be due to ischaemia (decreased blood supply) because of spasm in the arteries of the legs on exposure to sudden change in temperature, which are very sensitive to hot as well as cold weather.

In some cases, this condition responds well to anti-tubercular treatment, thereby hinting a possible link between these ulcers and tubercular organism and was also considered to be skin tuberculosis earlier.

The patient observes that his or her skin of the ankle is abnormally sensitive to changes in the temperature. Red-purple coloured nodules also appear on the calves, which rupture later to form non-healing ulcers. The ankle becomes cold, blue and tender during the cold weather and reactive hyperaemia develops during the hot weather, which makes the ankle hot, red, swollen and painful. The condition often resembles chilblains.

The ulcer is irregular in outline and discharges a thick fluid. On healing, it leaves behind a black-pigmented scar.

On examination, small, superficial and painful nodules are felt over the affected area, which breakdown to form ulcers.

The treatment for Bazin’s ulcer is usually conservative and surgery is done only in cases in which the patient is hypersensitive to weather changes. Apart from the normal conservative therapy, alternative systems of medicine also prove to be useful in this condition.