When you think of varicose veins, what comes to your mind? Perhaps you think of them as an aesthetic nuisance, something that can be cosmetically fixed over a few easy weeks or months to improve your skin’s appearance. While varicose veins can be a nuisance to some, for others, they can become something more than an eyesore. In fact, varicose veins can be one of several symptoms of a serious condition known as venous stasis.
Venous stasis, or venous stasis dermatitis, is a problem rooted in the veins, usually those located in your lower legs. Over time, and for different reasons, your veins will weaken and damage, which prevents blood from moving back to the heart the way it did before. This causes fluid and pressure to build up in the veins and blood to leak from your veins into the skin. The condition can cause swelling and red or dark patches to appear around the lower legs and ankles, and even lead to a venous stasis ulcer if left untreated. Medical treatment and self-care steps can help you prevent symptoms from becoming worse.
The most common sign of venous stasis that patients notice is swelling around their ankles. While the swelling can go down with sleep overnight or rest during the day, it can return the next day once you are on your feet again. Patients often cite feeling heaviness in their legs, specifically if they stand up from a long rest or walk. Other symptoms to look for include discolorations around the ankles, formation of twisted or bulging varicose veins, painful or itching skin with sores that crust or ooze, and thickening skin around your ankles and shins.
There is no official cause of venous stasis dermatitis; it is more like a patchwork of possibilities that can lead to the condition. While it does often affect those who already have circulation problems, especially a venous insufficiency—when the veins’ valves do not push blood up through the legs effectively—plenty of other conditions can lead to venous stasis dermatitis. Some of these conditions include but are not limited to:
While there are plenty of reasons you may be facing this condition, there are also several treatments and plans you can discuss with your vein doctor that fit your circumstances. Some non-invasive suggestions may sometimes include wearing compression stockings, which can help ease swelling and improve blood flow through your legs. Your vein doctor will even recommend keeping your feet elevated. The reason being: when you elevate your feet above your heart, you can help improve problems with circulation, and you can do this for at least 15 minutes a day every two hours or while you are asleep. Your vein doctor will also recommend not to stand for too long. Should you be sitting or standing for too long, you will be advised to take short walks as often as possible to keep the blood flowing. However, since venous stasis is the result of poor circulation, you may require surgery to repair the affected veins.
The medical professionals at the BASS Vein Center have years of experience helping people just like you deal with varicose veins and more. Contact us today by calling 925-281-5912 to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.
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