If you have recently noticed changes in the color or tone of your skin on your legs/ankles, you may be experiencing a common symptom of vein disease. Leg discoloration happens to millions of Americans.
At our vein centers in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, we offer free screenings to diagnose vein disease. Book a free vein screening in our vein clinics near you to have your symptoms diagnosed and learn more about treatment options.
This is a skin condition that affects the lower parts of the body, including the legs, ankles and feet. The condition is often itchy and uncomfortable, and appears because of the build-up of fluid due to varicose veins, circulation issues or heart issues.
As chronic venous insufficiency develops, the one-way valves that keep blood from coming back down become weak. The damaged and weakened valves prevent blood flow from the legs to the heart, causing blood to pool in veins.
As your body moves, pressure builds up in the veins and blood leaks into the surrounding skin. Hemoglobin in red blood cells is then broken down and stains the surrounding tissues, resulting in the discoloration of the skin.
Deep vein thrombosis can cause skin discoloration because of blood clots that block normal blood flow in a deep vein, usually in the leg. When blood cannot move efficiently back to the heart, it can cause many different symptoms, including skin that looks red or purple. Venous congestion can also cause a brownish staining called hemosiderin deposition, caused by hemoglobin leaking into the surrounding tissues.
Sometimes symptoms like leg discoloration can come from problems with the arteries rather than the veins. Plaque can build up on the inside of the arteries in the legs. This causes a narrower passage for blood to flow through when it is going from the heart to the limb. A blockage in the artery can cause the skin to change color, sometimes appearing green, black or purple. PAD can also cause pale skin in the affected limb. This condition also usually causes pain and discomfort during exercise or other activities.
After inflammation from acne, rashes, insect bites or minor injuries, the skin can produce excess pigment during the healing process. You may notice darker patches in the area after the original injury fades, a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This type of discoloration is more common in those with darker skin tones, but it can happen to anyone.
Occasional bruises are not always a medical concern, but if you have frequent or unexplained bruising in your legs, it is worth checking out to see if there is an underlying vein disorder.
Certain medical conditions and medications can change skin tone and affect circulation or pigment production. In addition to chronic venous insufficiency, skin discoloration can be caused by diabetes or liver disorders, as well as vitiligo, hormonal melasma and scleroderma. Some medications, like blood thinners, can increase bruising or cause discoloration. We examine your skin to see the nature of the discoloration, and either pursue vein treatments or refer you to the appropriate medical professional.
These tiny surface veins can appear by themselves or in clusters, causing the tone of the skin to be less even in color. Spider veins do not always cause other symptoms like leg aching or itching, but can sometimes be an early sign of deeper vein issues like CVI.
If you are only showing minor symptoms, an adjustment to a healthy lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, can help you alleviate your symptoms.
For more serious cases, it’s recommended that you consult a vein doctor for personalized treatments. Additional signs of vein disease include:
Book a FREE SCREENING today to learn about your symptoms, risk factors, treatment plan and insurance coverage.
Physicians Vein Clinics
It’s important to receive timely diagnosis and treatment for the underlying vein disease that causes skin discoloration. In order to have the condition treated properly, it is recommended that patients find a board-certified vein specialist and a well-facilitated vein clinic.
At Physicians Vein Clinics, our team of vein doctors uses conservative and minimally invasive procedures to address skin discoloration. Depending on your condition and medical history, our vein specialists will determine a personalized treatment plan for you. Our procedures include:
During conservative treatment with compression stockings, we give you prescription-grade stockings to support your veins and improve circulation in the legs. The stockings we use are 20-30mmHg and graduated, meaning they provide more support at the ankles.
This treatment targets the source of vein disease and discoloration by heating and closing diseased veins. Endovenous radiofrequency ablation corrects abnormal blood flow and helps to decrease the inflammation and swelling that contribute to brown, purple, blue or red skin patches. The heat comes from radiofrequency technology applied directly to the vein with a catheter.
We use Varithena to treat veins that are causing discoloration on the legs. The foam medication fills and closes the veins, which gradually diminish as the body absorbs them and redirects the blood.
VenaSeal is performed in-office to permanently close problematic varicose veins and is an alternative to heat or sclerosing solutions. During the treatment, we insert a medical glue into the vein and apply pressure to close it.
Sclerotherapy shrinks and collapses abnormal veins by injecting an FDA-approved chemical agent into the vein. The sclerotherapy causes the damaged veins to collapse, rerouting your blood to healthier vessels.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small scalpel or needle to remove varicose veins lying just beneath the surface of the leg. It is a common and very effective vein treatment.
Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy helps us to treat veins that are not visible at the surface but are contributing to skin discoloration. Using imaging guidance, we inject a foam medication that irritates and closes the vein.
Skin discoloration can have many underlying causes, some of which aren’t immediately visible on the surface. If you’re noticing changes in skin tone, darkening, redness, or uneven pigmentation, scheduling a free screening with one of our providers is an important first step. At Physicians Vein Clinics, we use advanced diagnostic tools to identify the source of skin discoloration and recommend appropriate treatment options, all while providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Schedule your initial screening today—we look forward to helping you restore healthier-looking skin.
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Skin discoloration can develop in anyone, but some people are more prone to this symptom, such as:
Most noticeable symptoms that accompany vein-based skin discoloration include:
Without diagnosis and treatment, leg discoloration can worsen, and other symptoms may begin to present themselves.
The underlying cause of skin discoloration is diagnosed through a consultation in our office. We take you through a physical exam and vascular testing. We will also evaluate any skin changes and talk about your symptoms and medical history. Vein mapping with duplex ultrasound can also be used to check blood flow.
Lifestyle changes can be effective in some situations to improve mild discoloration. However, it depends on the severity of the vein issue. If discoloration is linked to vein disease and symptoms are not resolved through conservative methods, additional treatment may be recommended.
