What's The Connection Between Varicose Veins and Skin Discoloration?

If you have varicose veins, you may see changes in the color and texture of your skin. The discoloration on your skin may surprise you, but this is not unusual for people with venous diseases, especially if their condition is in the advanced stages. Skin discoloration happens when varicose veins are not treated at the onset. So if you notice your skin color changing, you should take it as a sign to see an expert immediately. 

What Are the Causes of Skin Discoloration?

To understand the causes of skin discoloration, you need to understand why varicose veins appear in the first place. People get varicose veins because of venous insufficiency. It’s a chronic condition that happens when the veins in the lower legs lose their ability to transport blood back to the heart due to progressive damage to its internal valves. Blood then starts to pool in the legs, and the pressure causes the veins to swell. 

As the pressure inside the blood vessels increases, blood flow to the skin and surrounding tissues will be altered. The skin can become inflamed and starts turning red, but eventually, it may become brown. You may also experience other changes in your skin during the advanced stages of varicose veins. 

What Other Changes in the Skin Can You Experience?

Venous insufficiency can cause other changes in your skin. You may also notice the following:

• Redness of the skin due to irritation and inflammation
• Skin becomes hard and painful because of the swelling in the lower leg
• Skin becomes dry, itchy, and oozes with fluid
• Skin becomes brown and leathery, with crusting and scaling
• The appearance of painful open sores that are hard to treat
• Development of a severe bacterial infection called cellulitis 

What Should You Do When You See Changes in Your Skin?

When you notice discoloration or other changes on your skin because of your varicose veins, see a professional immediately. The sooner you get treatment for your condition, the better your chances of avoid continued worsen of the discoloration. 

It’s important to determine what’s causing the changes in your skin. You may even need to get an ultrasound, which is why it’s important that you go to a facility that specializes in venous disease. Only a trained professional can diagnose and treat your condition. Modern clinics can now treat venous diseases using advanced and minimally-invasive treatments as outpatient procedures. 

You can consult Dr. Vinay Madan of the Center for Varicose Veins if you observe skin discoloration and other skin changes due to varicose veins. Dr. Madan has more than 25 years of experience in treating venous diseases. His wealth of experience enables him to treat patients with care and compassion. 

Author

Center for Varicose Veins Center for Varicose Veins in Wilton and Fairfield, Connecticut, is a speciality practice that serves the communities of Wilton, Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Ridgefield, New Canaan, Darien, Redding, Fairfield, Easton, Trumbull, Bridgeport, and Stamford, Connecticut, as well as Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, South Salem and Bedford, New York. Board-Certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist Vinay Madan, MD, has over 25 years of experience using minimally invasive procedures to treat people affected by varicose veins and other forms of vein disease. With specialized care and expertise in the most advanced treatments, Dr. Madan offers relief of circulatory conditions affecting the legs, including chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, spider veins, leg swelling, and leg ulcers.