The Underlying Problem Is Damaged Valves In Your Veins

Damaged veins can cause pain, itching and flaking of the skin in the legs. If the condition gets worse, it can lead to a painful open sore called a venous stasis ulcer. This ulcer is difficult to heal, and if it doesn't heal properly, the infection can spread into the skin and other tissue. There are several treatments that can help, from medications to noninvasive procedures to surgically removing damaged veins in legs. If you have mild symptoms, such as varicose or spider veins, you can get relief by wearing compression stockings and elevating your legs. More serious conditions, such as venous insufficiency or chronic leg ulcers (CVI), require medical treatment.

A venous ulcer is an open sore that occurs on the surface of your skin, usually near the ankle. The wound is reddish-brown and swollen, with thickened or hardened skin. It can also have pus or blood leaking from it. Eventually, the damaged vein can become infected and may need to be removed under local anesthesia. This is a more invasive procedure, and the recovery time may be longer.

The faulty valves let blood backflow into the vein, causing it to enlarge and resulting in varicose and spider veins. Sometimes, the blood clots in these enlarged veins and causes the symptoms of venous insufficiency. Other factors include sex, because female hormones relax the walls of the veins; pregnancy, because the increased blood volume can enlarge the veins; and age, because the walls of the veins wear down and the valves don't work as well.

Your doctor will review your symptoms and do a physical exam. They may also order an ultrasound of your leg veins or a duplex ultrasound to measure the pressure in your veins. The tests can show whether the veins are leaky or if you have a blockage of blood flow in your leg.

The most common treatments for venous disease include losing weight, wearing compression stockings and elevating your feet while you're sleeping. Your doctor may also prescribe a medication to improve blood flow to your legs. If the underlying problem is a blood clot, your doctor may give you anti-clotting medicine.

Other treatment options include sclerotherapy and phlebectomy. In sclerotherapy, your doctor injects a chemical into the affected vein. The solution causes the vein to close, preventing blood from flowing through and getting trapped in the damaged vein. The body then reabsorbs the vein and replaces it with healthy veins. In phlebectomy, your doctor makes small incisions and removes smaller varicose veins through these incisions. For severe varicose and spider veins, your doctor may recommend a surgery called endovenous ablation or EVLT. This is a minimally invasive procedure in which your doctor uses laser or radiofrequency technology to destroy the affected vein and redirect blood to other healthy veins. The new veins will take over the work of the old ones, and your symptoms should improve.