How Do Varicose Veins Affect the Skin

A varicose vein is a condition that presents with enlarged, and twisted veins, commonly seen affecting the veins of your lower legs. It typically occurs when your veins become dilated and overfilled with blood due to increased blood pressure which causes the backward flow of the blood. This leads to abnormal pooling of the blood within your veins. Some potential causes of varicose veins include- aging, pregnancy, menopause, obesity (being overweight), prolonged sitting or standing, or family history.

Apart from the appearance of bluish-purple enlarged veins, pain and discomfort, there are various skin changes that occur which are discussed further in the article, so read on! 

How do Varicose Veins Affect the Skin?

Your veins are thin-walled and elastic like a balloon, which may sometimes get enlarged 3 to 5 times its original size due to the causes stated above. It slows down the blood flow and causes the pooling of blood and other microscopic changes. This stagnant blood releases chemicals and blood cells that cause inflammation within the veins and the surrounding tissues, which can cause severe symptoms affecting the overlying skin. These skin symptoms are commonly seen around the ankle, and around your shin bone (larger bone between your knee and ankle), especially the lower half and inner part of your legs.

What are the Skin Changes Seen in Varicose Veins?

Skin changes are seen in patients with varicose veins due to venous insufficiency, a chronic (long-lasting) condition caused by damage to the valves within your leg veins. This leads to an increase in pressure within them which is termed venous hypertension, which causes vein bulging and inflammation. The following symptoms are seen in the overlying skin affected by varicose veins:

• Skin discolouration that appears reddish, brown, or shiny.
• Itching and bruising 
• Venous eczema makes your skin dry, flaky, itchy, swollen, scaly or crusty. 
• Your skin may appear blackish in colour which is a sign of lipodermatosclerosis. Black pigmentation is due to the deposits of the by-product formed when blood breaks down (hemosiderin). 
• Peeling of the skin due to increased dryness
• Leathery skin texture
• Increased skin sensitivity to heat and cold
• The skin can easily bleed when scratched
• If left untreated, there may be an increased risk of skin ulcers near your ankles
• Increased skin inflammation may cause pain, and discomfort and may negatively impact your quality of life
• Hyperpigmentation seen on the overlying skin can be aesthetically unpleasant that may lead to emotional distress
• Swelling around the ankle due to inflamed skin

Can Varicose Veins Lead to Open Wounds or Ulcers?

If these changes or symptoms are ignored and left untreated, they may worsen and cause more skin and tissue damage that can lead to open wounds or venous ulcers. These are wet wounds that ooze fluids, blood and pus and are usually difficult to heal, and cause severe pain, and discomfort. Simple and symptomatic treatment is not sufficient until the underlying cause (varicose veins) is treated. 

Can Varicose Veins be treated?

It is important to treat the underlying cause which is varicose veins if you want to treat the skin changes. There are a variety of procedures to treat venous insufficiency and varicose veins that include:

• Vein stripping

• • • This is a traditional method that involves the removal or tying of a large vein in your lower leg.

• Endovenous Thermal Ablation

• • • This is an alternative procedure to surgical vein stripping and ligating.
    • It uses a catheter (a thin, long tube) and a laser (light beam) to close off the damaged vein. 

• Radiofrequency Ablation

• • • It is an ultrasound-guided procedure that uses thermal energy (heat) that is delivered inside the affected vein and causes the vein to collapse and seal shut.

• Endoscopic vein surgery

• • • Here an endoscope (a medical device that consists of a tiny camera and light source) is inserted through a key-hole-sized incision (cut) to block off a vein.

• Sclerotherapy

• • A chemical solution in the affected vein, causes the vein walls to stick together and form scar tissue which eventually fades away.

Takeaway

A varicose vein is a condition characterized by enlarged and twisted veins typically seen in your lower legs that cause pain and discomfort. They may occur due to family history, aging, pregnancy, obesity, prolonged standing or sitting, and menopause. The walls of your veins thin out, which makes them narrow, slowing down the blood flow. This eventually causes the pooling of the blood in the affected vein increasing the intravenous pressure. Apart from pain, discomfort, and swelling varicose veins cause several skin changes that include- skin discolouration, hyperpigmentation, blackening and hardening of the skin, itching, dry and flaky skin that may eventually lead to open wounds and ulcers, if left untreated. 

Treatment involves treating the underlying cause which is varicose veins, through surgical intervention. However, it is believed that skin discolouration caused due to varicose veins is permanent and cannot be treated. However, the goal is to halt the venous insufficiency for causing further skin discolouration. 

If you have started to notice skin changes due to varicose veins, seek treatment from our vein specialist or vascular surgeons at Medfin.

Why choose Medfin?

At Medfin, our team of well-trained, board-certified vascular surgeons, are here to diagnose, treat and prevent varicose veins. No matter what symptoms or skin changes you are experiencing, we are dedicated to delivering high-level care and comfort through our minimally-invasive procedures. We treat people of all ages, right in our office, helping you save your time and eliminating the need for referrals to other healthcare professionals.