Skin Changes and Varicose Veins
Most of us know what varicose veins look like – those bulging, twisting lines that protrude above the surface of the skin on the lower leg. However, the visible veins are not the only sign that you might have an underlying venous condition. Changes to your skin, seemingly unrelated to your circulation, can also provide information about how well your blood is pumping.
Itching: Dry Skin or Varicose Veins?
One of the first symptoms patients may notice on the skin’s surface is itchiness. You may think your skin is just dry and you need to ramp up your moisturizing routine. However, itching isn’t always a byproduct of dry skin. When the veins in your lower legs are not working as efficiently as they once did, it can allow more than blood to accumulate. Toxins that are typically flushed out through the bloodstream can also accrue, resulting in skin irritation and (yes, indeed!) itchy skin.
Color and Texture Changes
Skin around varicose veins can also begin to change. Skin might begin to feel tight around the lower leg, the result of edema due to poor circulation. This symptom may progress to a hardening of the skin, so it begins to resemble leather. Color changes can also occur, as skin transforms from red to brown. These changes indicate there are not sufficient nutrients getting to the skin and tissue, making them less healthy. If treatment is not performed soon, color changes may become permanent and more serious complications may develop.
Skin Injuries
Skin in this condition is not equipped to heal from any type of injury. Even the smallest scrape or scratch can progress to a much bigger sore. Venous ulcers, open sores that usually appear around the ankle, can develop. These sores can grow quite large, have a high incidence of infection and can be very difficult to treat. You may need to visit your vascular specialist regularly for a number of weeks or even months and keep special dressings on the sore until it finally heals completely.
Getting Help
The best way to avoid these skin changes is to treat your varicose veins before they become problematic. Today, there are many minimally-invasive options in vein treatment that do not involve much discomfort or downtime. You can get rid of unsightly varicose veins without a major disruption to your daily schedule.
At Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan, we offer a variety of vein treatments that allow us to tailor your treatment to you specific needs. To learn more about your treatment options, contact Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan at 212-204-6501.
