My Legs Are Dry Bumpy and Dark Will They Ever Be Normal Again

Varicose eczema, also known as venous, gravitational or stasis eczema, is a long-term skin condition that affects the lower legs. It's mutual in people with varicose veins.

Varicose eczema tends to be a long-term problem. All the same, treatments are available to help continue it under control.

Symptoms of varicose eczema

Like all types of eczema, the affected pare becomes:

• itchy and swollen
• dry and flaky
• scaly or crusty

On lighter skin it looks blood-red or brown. On darker skin it tends to expect dark chocolate-brown, imperial or grey and can exist more difficult to meet.

There may exist periods when these symptoms amend and periods when they are more severe.

Your legs may go bloated, especially at the end of the twenty-four hour period or after long periods of standing. Varicose veins (swollen and enlarged veins) are oftentimes visible on the legs.

Some people also have other symptoms, such every bit:

• discolouration of the skin
• tender and tight skin that tin can eventually become hardened (lipodermatosclerosis)
• small, white scars (atrophie blanche)
• pain
• eczema affecting other parts of the body

If varicose eczema is not treated, leg ulcers can develop. These are long-lasting wounds that grade where the skin has go damaged.

When to get medical advice

See a GP if you take symptoms of varicose eczema. Your doc will oft be able to make a diagnosis simply by looking at your skin.

A GP will also inquire you questions to determine whether you have a problem with the flow of blood in your leg veins, as this is the master cause of varicose eczema.

To help brand a diagnosis, a GP may want to know if you lot have ever had health conditions such as:

• varicose veins – swollen and enlarged veins
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – a claret clot in the veins of your legs
• leg ulcers – areas of damaged skin that have several weeks to heal
• cellulitis – an infection of the deeper layers of the peel and underlying tissue
• surgery or injury to your legs

A GP may also cheque the pulse in your anxiety and may do an ankle brachial force per unit area index (ABPI) test to see if compression stockings are suitable for yous.

The ABPI examination involves comparing blood pressure readings taken from your ankles and upper arms. A significant deviation in the readings suggests a problem with the menses of blood in your arteries – in which case, compression stockings may not be safe to utilize.

Referral to a specialist

Yous may be referred to a hospital specialist for farther tests. You lot might encounter a dr. or surgeon who specialises in atmospheric condition affecting blood vessels (vascular specialist), or a md who specialises in peel conditions (dermatologist) if:

• you have varicose veins and changes to your skin, such equally varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis (hard, tightened skin) or a history of leg ulcers
• yous have very poor blood catamenia in your legs
• your symptoms do non get better, despite treatment
• it's possible you have contact dermatitis

Causes of varicose eczema

Varicose eczema is unremarkably caused past increased pressure in the leg veins.

When small valves in the veins stop working properly, information technology's difficult for blood to be pushed upward confronting gravity and it tin can leak backwards.

This increases the pressure in the veins, which can crusade fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. It's thought that varicose eczema may develop as a result of the immune system reacting to this fluid.

Varicose eczema is more common in people with varicose veins, as these are also oft a sign that the leg veins are non working properly.

Some people develop the condition for no obvious reason, although in that location are some factors that increase the hazard of this happening, including:

• gender – varicose eczema is more common in women
• obesity – this can increase the force per unit area in your leg veins
• pregnancy – this can besides increase the pressure level in your leg veins
• non being able to motility for a long flow of time – this can bear upon the apportionment of blood in your leg veins
• having previously had DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – blood clots that develop in leg veins which can harm the valves in your veins
• increasing historic period – people generally find it harder to move about as they get older, which tin touch on their circulation

Treating varicose eczema

For most people, treatment involves a combination of:

• cocky-help measures – including means to improve your circulation, such every bit keeping active and frequently raising your legs
• emollients – moisturisers applied to the skin to terminate information technology from becoming dry
• topical corticosteroids – ointments or creams applied to the skin to aid treat the eczema and relieve symptoms
• pinch stockings – specially designed stockings, usually worn every day, that squeeze your legs tightly at the foot and ankle and become looser further up your leg, helping to ameliorate your circulation

If these treatments do not help, a GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) in example there'south another cause for your symptoms, or if they're concerned you may also have contact dermatitis.

If you have varicose veins, you may be referred to a doctor or surgeon specialising in atmospheric condition affecting the blood vessels (vascular specialist) who can talk to you about the treatment options for varicose veins.

Find out more near treating varicose eczema.

Other types of eczema

Eczema is the proper noun for a group of skin weather that cause dry, irritated skin. Other types of eczema include:

• atopic eczema (besides called atopic dermatitis) – the most common blazon of eczema
• contact dermatitis – a type of eczema that happens when you lot come up into contact with a particular substance
• discoid eczema – a long-term type of eczema that appears every bit circular or oval patches on the skin

Folio last reviewed: 25 October 2019
Next review due: 25 October 2022

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Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-eczema/

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