If you are seeking care from a vein doctor for itchy varicose veins, you can be certain that you are not alone. While many think that varicose veins are purely cosmetic, vein disease can have many manifestations. Varicose veins Clifton NJ are just one symptom of a more serious underlying issue--chronic venous insufficiency. The itchy feeling patients experience from varicose veins is a more advanced symptom and suggest inflammation at the level of the skin. These symptoms don’t happen overnight and thus it's important to seek early vein evaluations.
And while the cosmetic issues can be covered and even suppressed with compression socks and long pants, the feelings associated with venous insufficiency can become unbearable for many individuals. These symptoms include itchy veins, swollen legs, leg fatigue, leg cramps, leg pain and skin discoloration.
Why Do Varicose Veins Itch?
Varicose veins develop because of chronic venous insufficiency. In this condition, truncal or superficial veins become dysfunctional. This can result from many different causes including employment or lifestyles that lead to prolonged periods of standing or sitting, obesity, smoking, pregnancy are common associated issues. Genetics plays the largest role and many patients will identify parents or siblings with varicose veins.
In chronic venous insufficiency, the circulation becomes impaired in the superficial veins. The veins are dilated and the valves become dysfunctional unable to keep blood from refluxing (or falling back down) with gravity. Unlike deep veins, there is no significant muscle or tissue to prevent the veins from dilating further and worsening the problem.
This poor circulation effort leads to blood to pool in the legs and cause symptoms of venous insufficiency. Spider and varicose veins result from the over-distended veins that cause new , diseased veins to form.
As the situation worsens with time, the continued pooling of blood becomes chronically irritated and inflammatory to the walls of the veins and the surrounding tissue. This includes the skin which can become eczematous, itchy and skin discoloration on legs. Untreated this condition can lead to venous stasis changes or permanently discolored and eczematous. In the most serious cases, skin ulcers (CEAP 5 and 6), infections and bleeding can occur.
How To Treat Varicose Veins Causing Skin Eczema?
The eczema that results from venous insufficiency needs early treatment for vein disease in Clifton NJ. Moisturizers and steroids can help resolve very irritated skin, but the key is to treat the underlying issue to prevent chronic insults on the skin.
Fortunately, these treatments are readily available and can be done with relative ease in the hands of the best vein doctors. Modern treatments are minimally-invasive and catheter based technologies that eliminate the need for surgical removal of veins. Combination treatments with foam sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy can eliminate some of the most unsightly varicose veins once the underlying issue is resolved. If you are seeking expert venous care, make sure you see a board-certified vein doctor as soon as possible.
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