What is a Venous Skin Ulcer?
A venous leg ulcer is an open sore that develops in areas of the body where blood flow has been blocked or reversed due to poor vein function. Typically these ulcers occur on the legs, where the blood is most prone to pooling.
What Causes Leg Ulcers?
Venous leg ulcers, or venous stasis ulcers, are painful open wounds on the leg or ankle that do not heal for weeks or months. Unhealthy or damaged veins lead to poor blood circulation and cause venous ulcers. Common risk factors include blood clots, diabetes, obesity, aging, and injury.
If veins cannot effectively push blood back up to the heart, excess blood then pools and can build up pressure. The increased pressure and fluid build-up blocks essential oxygen and nutrients from reaching body tissue. As a result, tissue becomes damaged and forms a wound. Furthermore, oxygen and nutrients from blood circulation are crucial for wound healing. So, lack of new blood slows wound healing, leading to an ulcer.
Ulcers can worsen quickly left untreated, increasing the risk of complications and limb loss.
Why Do My Legs Look Discolored?
Leg discoloration is another symptom of venous insufficiency. It can also be caused by diabetes, but here we will focus on discoloration from venous conditions.
What Are The Symptoms of Leg Discoloration?
- Skin discoloration on the lower legs with red, brown, or yellow splotches
- Itching
- Throbbing
- Scaling
- Crusty Sores or oozing ulcers
- Loss of hair on the feet, ankles, and shins
- Thick, leathery skin
- Noticeable varicose veins or spider veins
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
Symptoms of Leg Ulcers
- Pain and swelling in the legs and ankles
- Tightness in the calves
- Itchiness and pain in the legs
- Pain that occurs only when walking, but stops when resting
- Brown skin discoloration around the ankles
- Varicose veins
- Spider veins
- Leg sores that refuse to heal
- Restless legs
- Leg cramps and muscle spasms
What Causes Skin Discoloration and Leg Ulcers?
Leg discoloration and venous stasis ulcers are both outward signs of an inward problem. Specifically, they are the outward manifestation of vascular disease. The cause of your vein malfunction could be venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or it could be due to poor circulation
This is typically the same condition that causes varicose veins and spider veins.
Factors That Affect Vein Health
The following health factors are known to affect your risk for developing vascular disease, leg ulcers, and leg discoloration.
- Obesity
- Age
- Sedentary lifestyle or are immobile for long periods of time
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
- Existing heart conditions
- Kidney failure
- Previous surgeries or traumatic injuries in the affected area
- Frequent alcohol use
- Using tobacco products
- Genetics
- Poor diet
Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment
Treatment for venous ulcers focuses on improving your circulation. This can be done one of several ways.
At Home Care
To help you take care of leg ulcers and venous discoloration we recommend the following at-home care treatments.
- Elevating your legs to improve circulation
- Cleaning the wound to prevent infection
- Wearing prescription compression stockings to reduce blood pooling
- Avoid heavy exercise
- Use antibiotic ointments
How to Prevent Leg Ulcers
Those at risk for venous ulcers should take steps to prevent ulcers from forming. Daily check your feet, legs, ankles, and heels for cracks and skin discoloration, as these signs could indicate an ulcer forming.
Simple lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of venous ulcers. Consider these changes to improve blood flow and wound healing.
- Moisturize lower legs and feet well
- Wear compression stockings
- Quit smoking and tobacco consumption
- Keep blood sugar at a healthy level if you have diabetes
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Take blood thinners if your doctor prescribes them to prevent blood clots
- Stay active and exercise regularly
- Lose excess body weight from fat
- Eat heart-healthy foods
- Sleep 7-9 hours each night
Other Vein Ulcer Treatments
Compression therapy is the gold standard for venous ulcers. Our vein experts, depending on your condition, may also prescribe wound care, wound dressing, antibiotics, aspirin, or circulation medication.
Minimally invasive surgical treatments may also be recommended depending on your condition.
- Microphlebectomy to remove diseased veins
- Vein ablation to seal diseased veins
Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment
Treatment for venous ulcers focuses on improving your circulation. This can be done one of several ways.
At Home Care
To help you take care of leg ulcers and venous discoloration we recommend the following at-home care treatments.
- Elevating your legs to improve circulation
- Cleaning the wound to prevent infection
- Wearing prescription compression stockings to reduce blood pooling
- Avoid heavy exercise
- Use antibiotic ointments
Other Vein Ulcer Treatments
Compression therapy is the gold standard for venous ulcers. Our vein experts, depending on your condition, may also prescribe wound care, wound dressing, antibiotics, aspirin, or circulation medication.
Minimally invasive surgical treatments may also be recommended depending on your condition.
- Microphlebectomy to remove diseased veins
- Vein ablation to seal diseased veins
