How do you treat skin discoloration on legs?
Exercise- Walking regularly can help to circulate blood instead of allowing it to pool in the lower legs, causing redness. Elevating legs at rest- putting your legs up to at least the level of your heart eliminates the strain of gravity on the veins and allows it to leave the legs more easily, reducing some redness.
What causes brown discoloration on legs close to ankles?
Hemosiderin is a brownish pigment caused by the breakdown of blood hemoglobin, the iron content in red blood cells. Foot and Ankle discoloration, when caused by hemosiderin, is called Stasis Dermatitis and is a sign of Venous Insufficiency, also called venous reflux disease and venous hypertension among other names.
How do you get rid of venous stasis discoloration?
Treatments
- Wear compression stockings. They ease swelling and improve blood flow.
- Keep your feet elevated above your heart. When you can, do it for 15 minutes every 2 hours and while you sleep.
- Don’t stand still for too long. Walk around often.
What does leg discoloration mean?
What is Leg Discoloration? Venous stasis dermatitis, commonly referred to as leg discoloration, occurs due to problems with your veins located in your feet or lower legs. Leg discoloration can occur in individuals with circulation issues.
Does hemosiderin staining go away?
In some cases, this treatment may leave the patient with brown skin discoloration as a result of hemosiderin (iron) deposits. This discoloration is usually transient and disappears in a couple of weeks; however, in some people, the stain ends up being permanent.
Is venous stasis life threatening?
It is not life-threatening, but it is usually chronic. Symptoms of venous insufficiency include varicose veins, swelling, and heavy, aching legs. Left untreated, venous insufficiency can lead to other health conditions, such as dermatitis, venous ulceration, and chronic venous hypertension.
What does venous stasis look like?
What does venous stasis dermatitis look like? Venous stasis dermatitis causes significant changes in the appearance of the skin on your legs. The most common sign of venous stasis dermatitis is brown or red skin discoloration around your ankles and lower legs.
Is venous stasis life-threatening?
How do you get rid of diabetic leg discoloration?
Diabetic dermopathy is a harmless skin condition that affects people living with diabetes. It looks like small, round brownish patches and usually appears on your shins. There’s no treatment for diabetic dermopathy, but makeup and moisturizer can help with its appearance.
What does a leg with venous insufficiency look like?
Brown-colored skin, often near the ankles. Varicose veins. Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat. Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome)
Is walking good for venous insufficiency?
Exercise is a surprisingly effective treatment for venous insufficiency. Exercising gets your heart pumping, and the extra pumping force of your heart pushes the blood up and out of your lower legs. Walking is particularly beneficial.
What does the skin of a diabetic look like?
Diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels. These changes can cause skin problems called diabetic dermopathy. Dermopathy often looks like light brown, scaly patches. These patches may be oval or circular.