Usage of the Unna Boot

The Unna boot is a compression dressing used to treat leg conditions such as burns and skin ulcers. It is named for its creator, a German dermatologist named Paul Gerson Unna who specialized in treating skin diseases.

Identification

• The Unna boot is a bandage containing calamine lotion, glycerin and zinc oxide, according to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital website. The boot wraps the area between the toes and knee and is covered with an elastic bandage.

Benefits

• According to Vitality Medical, the zinc oxide in the Unna boot speeds up the healing of ulcers and burns. The bandage is moist, which prevents the skin from becoming too dry. It prevents swelling and soothes irritation. The Unna boot is more beneficial for patients who can move about on their own than for bedridden or wheelchair-bound individuals.

Time Frame

• A patient reapplies the boot every week or two until the ulcer or injury is healed. Northwestern Memorial Hospital indicates that larger ulcers take as long as several months to heal, while small ulcers heal in a few weeks. The Vitality Medical website adds that the boot should remain on for two days after all swelling is gone.