Although it may seem unlikely, blood flow and vein health can impact your skin. Varicose veins can lead to venous stasis dermatitis (or “venous eczema”)—a condition characterized by skin discoloration and inflammation.
How can you tell the difference between skin inflammation caused by varicose veins and skin rashes that adults struggle with? Typically, if you see varicose veins develop before a skin rash, the problems are related and require treatment. Ask our team at Artemis Vein Center about varicose veins and skin rashes to determine the best treatment method for your unique symptoms.
Varicose veins are prominent blue or purple veins that appear twisted and bulging. They usually develop on the legs. Though they may not lead to adverse side effects for some individuals, varicose veins could cause leg discomfort, swelling, and changes in skin sensation and texture. Additionally, the condition could lead to leg muscles cramping, restless legs, and other uncomfortable sensations.
In some cases, severe varicose veins could cause skin rashes on the legs, typically associated with itchy, dry, or scaly skin that appears inflamed and discolored. Venous eczema is caused by damaged varicose veins allowing fluid to escape into the surrounding body tissues, resulting in less oxygen reaching the skin. As the skin slowly becomes deprived of oxygen, it becomes tremendously dry, leading to scaly, itchy skin in the areas surrounding varicose veins.
When varicose veins and associated skin rashes are not treated, the symptoms worsen. You may develop leg ulcers, skin infections, and deep vein thrombosis blood clots. Therefore, you should consider talking to a physician about medical vein treatment immediately.
Typical skin rashes will generally go away with prescription-strength topical ointments. However, patients with symptoms of venous eczema may benefit the most from vein treatments such as endovenous ablation or sclerotherapy.
During the sclerotherapy procedure, Dr. Pinsinski injects a solution directly into your varicose veins, causing them to collapse and reroute blood flow to healthier veins. Likewise, endovenous ablation treatments close off affected veins to reroute blood flow with thermal energy from a laser.
In addition, patients with skin inflammation caused by varicose veins may want to consider lifestyle changes, such as exercising more frequently, losing weight, and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting periods. These actions are beneficial for improving varicose veins and boosting skin health.
Dry, flaky, itchy, and irritated skin could significantly impact your day and leave you feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed. The first step in treating your skin condition is identifying whether it is venous eczema caused by varicose veins or a typical skin rash. Contact Artemis Vein Center today to schedule an appointment and begin treating your condition.
