Varicose Ulcers: When a Skin Condition May Not Be What You Think

Skin is the largest organ of human body and it is in a continuous state of flux. However, abnormalities in the turnover of skin cells are not uncommon, resulting in dermatologic conditions such as venous ulcers. If you have varicose veins, you may have a chance of developing this sore on your leg that is very slow to heal. Don’t take that risk. Seek the best vein removal Los Angeles can offer.

Until you have your varicose veins removed, it’s always good to know what you’re up against. Read on to find out more about venous insufficiency ulceration.

What is a venous leg ulcer?

A venous skin ulcer, also known as stasis dermatitis, varicose ulcer or stasis ulcer, is a long-lasting wound that usually develops above the ankle on the inside of the leg. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to years for the sore to heal.

What causes venous ulcers?

A venous ulcer happens when there is a break in the skin of the leg due to poor blood circulation in the limb. These open, often painful, sores in the skin occur between the knee and ankle because that is where blood usually collects.

The veins in the leg should send blood back to the heart. However, sometimes the valves in the veins that prevent blood from flowing backward are not working properly. Blood then pools in the veins of the lower leg so the pressure on the veins rises.

The increased pressure can weaken the skin and damage the capillaries, allowing proteins to leak into the tissue. This results in a buildup of blood cells, proteins and fluid, which causes skin inflammation and leg swelling.

How does this relate to vein health?

Deep venous insufficiency is caused by incompetent vein valves and/or the obstruction of leg veins. Venous insufficiency is the most common cause of leg ulcers, accounting for 60-80 percent of all cases.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can also damage the vein valves and result in deep venous insufficiency. Together with varicose veins, DVI is part of chronic venous insufficiency. This problem can lead to venous skin ulcers, swelling and pain.

Caused by defective valves, venous ulceration is a chronic condition with high recurrence rate. A large percentage of these ulcers take a long time to heal. They can persist for more than six weeks, causing physical and psychological discomfort and affecting patients’ quality of life.

If your leg ulcer is caused by varicose veins, the key is not only to treat the ulcer but also to get to the root of the problem. Varicose vein removal Los Angeles residents count on can improve the blood flow, which helps heal the wound and in prevents its recurrence.

Who gets venous leg ulcers?

This condition affects about one percent of the U.S. population. Venous skin ulcers are more common in older people, especially women. Varicose veins, previous leg injuries, phlebitis or blood clots, high blood pressure, obesity, overweight, venous insufficiency, and/or smoking put you at risk of getting a varicose ulcer.

What are the symptoms?

People with venous leg ulcers often experience a heavy feeling in their legs and have swollen feet and legs, as well as flaky, red and itchy skin. Other signs may include a rash, a foul-smelling discharge coming from the ulcer, hardened skin and discoloration of the skin around the ulcer, swollen or enlarged veins on the legs.

Signs of an infection

Venous ulcers are likely to get larger over time, resulting in an increase of pain, discomfort and irritation in the legs. Ulcers allow bacteria and air to get into the underlying tissue, making it susceptible to bacterial infection.

If your leg ulcer has become infected, you may experience worsening pain, a fever, a greenish or yellowish discharge from the ulcer, and/or a swelling or redness of the surrounding skin.

Treat your venous disease

If you don’t have them treated, varicose ulcers can lead to more serious problems. In some cases, surgery for varicose veins or other vein problems is advised in order to correct back pressure of blood pooling in the veins.

#1 Vein removal Los Angeles

Avoid the risk of a venous leg ulcer, as well as other issues and complications that may arise. If you have varicose or spider veins, reach out to Beverly Hills Vein Institute and get the most reliable vein removal Los Angeles can provide. Dr. Ivan Brooks is a highly respected and experienced vein expert in diagnosis and treatment of both spider veins and varicose veins.

We are committed to your well-being and provide the best vein care in Los Angeles, using minimally invasive and effective non-surgical treatments like EVLT, Microphlebectomy, and Sclerotherapy. Call 1 (310) 853 – 5850 and schedule an appointment – today!

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Can You Make Varicose Veins Less Visible?

Having varicose or spider veins must be the bane of your existence. Even if you feel absolutely no pain or discomfort as a result, one thing is certain: the affected veins are unsightly and you want them gone. Besides, spider and varicose veins are an...

How Do Your Fashion Choices Affect Your Venous Health?

No matter how sophisticated varicose vein treatment has become, many of those affected by spider or varicose veins continue to hope that some miraculous DIY solution will suddenly fall into their lap. They’ll google “smart ways guaranteed to hide my...

Could My Job Put Me at Risk of Varicose Veins?

The things we do may have an effect we are unaware of. Our actions have consequences and may end up taking a toll when we least expect it and in ways we were completely unprepared for. Eating too much sugary stuff could have a detrimental effect on ...

Vein Disease: the Overview

The normal function of healthy veins is to regulate blood circulation and direct blood to the heart, but what happens when something goes amiss? What causes the veins to stop functioning and what are the early signs that you should look out for? Are...

Should I Have a Vein Ablation?

Twisted? Bulging? Painful? Enlarged? When varicose veins start causing you both pain and discomfort and loss of self-confidence, it’s time to take action. But before you do take action, there is bound to be a lot of questions preying on your mind: ...

What Should I Do after EVLT?

Laser ablation is basically becoming the gold standard in the field for patients looking to eliminate varicose veins effectively. Aside from its efficacy, one of the main benefits of Endovenous Laser Ablation or EVLT is that there is no downtime and the...