Serious Chronic Problems of Varicose Veins

Beyond the Surface Issues

The word varicose comes from the Latin root "varix", which means "twisted".  Varicose veins are names for this Latin root because that's how they appear - gnarled, enlarged and often blue in color.  Any vein can become varicose, but the most commonly affected are those in the legs and feet.  For many people varicose veins are more of a cosmetic concern, for others they cause aching and discomfort.

Along with the aching, discomfort and cosmetic embarrassment which can be caused by varicose veins, there are some other problems which can be chronic and more serious. Sometimes the condition leads to more serious problems - signaling a higher risk for other circulatory disorders.

Chronic Problems of Varicose Veins

Ankle swelling, often seen in people with varicose veins, can make walking difficult as shoes become very tight.  The pressure in the veins causes fluid to be squeezed into the tissues while standing, sitting or walking.  As a rule, the swelling will go away overnight, when the feet are elevated.  There may be many reasons for ankle swelling besides the condition of varicose veins, and these reasons may only become apparent after veins have been treated surgically.

Some people suffer from skin damage, which can eventually lead to ulcers.  These ulcers are often caused by unusually high pressure in the leg veins.  Varicose veins and/or deep veins can be the source of the skin problem and venous skin damage can lead to many different appearances.

Eczema, Pigmentation and Lipodermatosclerosis

Venous eczema or varicose eczema presents initially in a mild form with itchiness on the skin, generally at or above the ankle.  The small or large patches can be temporarily treated with a cream containing steroid medication.  However, while there is relief, this type of treatment can leave the skin thin and fragile.  If neglected, the eczema can become very inflamed, red and scaly and can eventually lead to cellulitis.

Skin pigmentation or a darkening of the skin from pale brown to a dark brown can be a result of varicose veins.  Atrophie blanche, a French phrase to describe shiny white areas of skin, is an indication that skin damage is quite advanced.

In chronic venous disease, damage occurs not only to the skin but to the fatty layer beneath it as well.  The name for this condition is lipodermatosclerosis.  This disease is characterized by skin that becomes discoloured, shiny and hard, and the fat beneath also becomes hard and shrinks so the area becomes dented.

It is difficult to predict who will be affected with skin problems and who won't when it comes to varicose veins.