The Tie Between Leg Discoloration and Venous Conditions
Relieve tired, discolored legs with comprehensive vein treatment.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a venous condition such as DVT or venous insufficiency, leg discoloration may be something you experience.
At Texas Endovascular, we recognize that changes in our skin, especially the color, can come with worry about both our health and appearance.
Our specialized team is trained in advanced non-invasive treatment methods for a variety of venous conditions, including leg discoloration.
Let’s explore this topic in further detail.
What is leg discoloration?
When caused by venous diseases, vein discoloration is more formally referred to as venous stasis dermatitis.
It appears as blotches of dark red and purple spots throughout the skin, especially on the lower legs, and is one of the most common indicators of a circulation problem in the legs.
People with vascular disease are most likely to develop leg discoloration, especially for women 50 and older.
Leg Discoloration Causes
Leg discoloration can be caused by various things, including bruising, injury, or allergic reaction. If those don’t seem to be the case, the most common cause is poor circulation.
When circulation is insufficient, blood flow is congested and builds up pressure throughout the vein causing the blood to pool and veins to leak. The iron from the red blood cells stains the skin causing it to appear discolored.
The most prevalent causes of poor circulation and leg discoloration are chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis.
Leg Discoloration Symptoms
The most prominent symptom of leg discoloration is discoloration itself. Often, one or both legs have blotches throughout that appear dark purple, red, or brown. For a majority of patients, the lower legs are the most affected.
Other symptoms may include:
- itching
- a burning sensation
- Pain
- sores and ulcers
- reduced leg hair
- thickened skin
- varicose or spider veins
- a rash-like appearance
- shiny skin
Treating Leg Discoloration
Leg discoloration requires professional medical treatment.
Depending on the size and severity of your leg discoloration, treatment may involve any of the following:
- compression stockings
- exercise
- a weight-loss regimen
- elevation and rest
- radiofrequency ablation
- microphlebectomy
- sclerotherapy
Advanced Vein Care You Can Trust
If you are living with leg discoloration due to a venous condition our team of compassionate vein specialists can help with minimally invasive treatment that meets your health and wellness goals.
We are experienced in diagnosing, treating, and preventing leg discoloration and other vein diseases. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
