Why do my Varicose Veins Itch?
Have you ever had a sudden rash or skin irritation in the legs that cause itchiness? This could be a sign that you have varicose veins. Varicose veins are commonly visible, but sometimes they may appear deeper under the surface of the skin, making them difficult to detect on your own. Both examples of these can lead to skin itchiness in the leg area as a symptom of varicose veins.
We'll go through what varicose veins are and how they form, why they might be the source of your itching or other skin problem, and what you can do to treat varicose veins and their itchy skin.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are a condition where the veins in your legs become enlarged and twisted. The main cause of varicose veins is faulty valves in the veins. These valves are responsible for controlling the flow of blood as it moves up and down your leg. If the valves become weak or if you have damaged valves, blood can pool in your leg, leading to the enlargement and twisting of the veins.
Varicose veins are most common in the legs because that's when they are doing the most work fighting against gravity, but they can also appear in other parts of the body.
Some factors that can contribute to varicose veins include:
Age- the older you are, the more likely you become to get varicose veins due to the general weakening of the veins over time
Pregnancy- hormones and weight gain are two major components of pregnancy that lead to varicose veins forming
Obesity- being overweight adds extra pressure to the veins in your body making it harder for the blood to flow properly
Sedentary lifestyle- staying in one position or space for a long period of time can lead to a pooling of the blood and hinder your body's natural blood flow
Why varicose veins might lead to skin rash and itchy skin
Varicose veins can often lead to many noticeable symptoms including those related to the skin such as discoloring of the skin, skin rash and itchy skin. This is because the poor circulation caused by vein disease deprives the skin of essential nutrients and moisture.
The process goes as follows: the body senses the defective valves and releases histamines to mend the leaks in those valves. Histamines are the body's natural response to what it considers an allergic reaction, and those histamines are what usually cause itching. In addition, blood from the swollen veins seeps into the surrounding skin and nearby tissue. The oxygen that would normally be healing the valves and veins is being blocked, so the skin becomes inflamed and itchy as a result of backed-up blood.
When related to varicose veins or vein disease this is referred to as venous stasis dermatitis or venous eczema. Luckily there are steps you can take to prevent or remedy this.
Preventing varicose veins and itchiness
If you have varicose veins or itchy varicose veins, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the symptoms:
Use medicated lotion/creams- ask your doctor or dermatologist about lotion or creams that can help reduce itchiness. Many are easily available over-the-counter and often include antihistamines such as calamine and hydrocortisone. Be careful not to use anything with perfumes, dyes, or ingredients that may exacerbate your existing skin condition.
Wear compression stockings- compression stockings help keep veins active, reduce the risk of blood clots (which could lead to DVT and life-threatening issues like Pulmonary Embolism if untreated) and are a great way to improve circulation.
Elevate your legs whenever possible- by elevating your body position, you can help relieve swelling and discomfort.
Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time- take multiple scheduled breaks each day to move around and stretch.
Exercises like walking or cycling can help improve blood circulation- this can help you lose weight and increase circulation which is good for keeping your veins healthy.
Seeking varicose vein treatment for itchiness
If you are experiencing varicose veins and itchiness, it may be wise to seek treatment from a vein specialist. A vein specialist can help to treat your vein disease and improve your symptoms. They are also the only way to get rid of varicose veins once they appear. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include a minimally invasive procedure to “close” the damaged vein or surgery to remove portions of the varicose veins.
Elmore Medical specializes in highly effective treatment options such as EVLT and microsurgery.
EVLT, or Endovenous Laser Therapy, is regarded as the best available treatment for large, damaged varicose veins. Through a single needle stick, a fine laser fiber is inserted into a varicose vein. Laser energy is used to generate heat which seals the vein closed.
Microsurgery is a technique that utilizes special instruments to remove large bulging veins through a few, very tiny, "micro" incisions. The incisions are so small that, with normal healing, one can scarcely find them on the leg.
You can prevent or slow the progression of varicose veins, as well as any itching and skin rash from these affected veins, by exercising regularly, avoiding lengthy sitting or standing, wearing compression stockings, and applying medicated lotion and creams.
The best solution, though, is developing a plan with help from a vein specialist to get rid of varicose veins altogether.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.