Varicose Veins and Your Skin

You may know varicose veins as dark, bulging veins that are visible under the skin. But is that the only impact they have on the skin? Not at all. Varicose veins, left untreated, can put you at risk for other health problems, and what happens to the veins deep below the skin’s surface has the ability to impact the color and texture of the skin itself. The vein specialists in Orlando at Central Florida Vein & Vascular Center care deeply about the impact varicose veins can have on overall health. Here are some ways that skin specifically can be impacted. 

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Before we start discussing skin concerns, let’s look at varicose veins. Your veins are tasked with circulating blood throughout your body. The veins in your legs, however, have to work overtime. They’re constantly pushing against gravity to circulate blood upward through the leg. If vein valves are weakened or damaged, blood may pool in the vein and create varicose veins in the leg. This can cause legs to feel painful, itchy, fatigued, or heavy. Over time, if untreated, the affected vein can break down tissue and cause venous eczema to appear on the skin.

Learn More About the Causes of Varicose Veins:

• Basic Causes of Varicose Veins
• The Causes and Symptoms of Varicose Veins 
• Habits That Cause Varicose Veins
• Causes of Varicose Veins in Athletes 
• Prevention of Varicose Veins 
• Prevent Varicose Veins at Work 

What is Venous Eczema?

Venous eczema is most often characterized by red, swollen, and painful skin. Over time, the skin condition can worsen until the skin becomes hard, dry, cracked, and itchy. Ulcers can also form as a result of broken-down tissue. If left untreated, venous eczema leaves the skin prone to developing a bacterial infection called cellulitis. This infection can become dangerous, so proactive treatment of venous eczema is recommended.

Who is at Risk for Vein-Related Skin Issues?

Venous insufficiency and its associated health concerns can happen to anyone. But there are a few things that can put you at additional risk of developing them. These include:

• Genetics: If you have a family history of varicose veins, you may be at a higher risk of developing them yourself.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy both weakens and puts additional pressure on leg veins. The damage done to the vein can also leave the veins at risk of developing other related issues.
• Gender: While men can still develop varicose veins, women are at a higher risk.
• Leg injury: An injury to the lower leg can potentially harm the vein valves, leaving them at risk for blood pooling. If you already have varicose veins, the area may be irritated even further.
• Lack of movement: Sitting or standing for long periods of time each day can have a negative impact on circulation and increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

Seeking Treatment for Your Vein Health

As you can see, vein issues aren’t something to ignore. Untreated, they can potentially impact the skin and leave you at risk of infection. So why wait to seek treatment? If you’re currently having issues with your veins, come visit our team of vein specialists in Orlando at Central Florida Vein & Vascular Center. You can schedule a consultation by calling 407-545-3385 or 352-658-5547 today.