What is leg discoloration?
Leg discoloration, or venous stasis dermatitis, is a type of skin inflammation that occurs due to poor circulation. It can occur anywhere on your legs, but it’s especially common near the calves, ankles, and feet because that’s where blood usually collects.
When blood pools in the veins of your lower legs, pressure increases. Over time, this additional pressure damages your capillaries, allowing proteins to leak into the surrounding tissues. As leakage progresses, it causes a buildup of cells, fluid, and proteins, causing your legs to swell and change color.
What are the symptoms of leg discoloration?
The symptoms of leg discoloration vary depending on the severity of your circulatory problems. Telltale signs include:
- Skin discoloration
- Itching
- Scaling
- Ulcers
You might also experience symptoms of venous insufficiencies, such as:
- Leg swelling
- Pain
- Tenderness
- A dull ache
As leg discoloration gets worse, you might also notice the skin on your legs looks thin or paper-like. Without prompt intervention and treatment, your skin may harden or turn dark brown.
Who is at risk of experiencing leg discoloration?
Leg discoloration affects people of all ages and races, but certain factors may increase your risk, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Having varicose veins
- Experiencing a lower leg injury
- Having high blood pressure
You’re also more likely to experience leg discoloration if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
How is leg discoloration diagnosed?
To diagnose leg discoloration, the team at Heart Vascular and Leg Center reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and conducts a physical examination. During your exam, your provider carefully observes your feet, legs, and ankles. In most cases, it’s possible to make a diagnosis using visual observation alone.
If your provider suspects a more serious underlying health problem, they might recommend a doppler ultrasound. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to check the blood flow in your legs and feet.
How is leg discoloration treated?
Whenever possible, the team at Heart Vascular and Leg Center uses conservative, at-home treatments to manage leg discoloration. For example, healthy lifestyle changes like propping up your feet when sitting, wearing compression stockings, and wearing loose-fitting clothing can significantly improve your circulation.
Your provider might also recommend prescription lotions or skin ointments. Antibiotics skin products like neomycin can prevent allergic reactions and ease itching. Benzocaine and other numbing medications can provide relief from pain or irritation.
If leg discoloration is negatively affecting your quality of life, schedule an appointment at Heart Vascular and Leg Center. Call the office or book a consultation online today.
FAQs
What is leg discoloration? Leg discoloration, or venous stasis dermatitis, is a type of skin inflammation that occurs due to poor circulation. It can occur anywhere on your legs, but it's especially common near the calves, ankles, and feet because that's where blood usually collects.
Can leg discoloration be reversed? ›
Many causes of leg discoloration are temporary and will go away in time or with appropriate treatment. Other causes may require long-term treatment and management. In some cases, skin discoloration of the legs can signal a serious health issue.
What is peripheral artery disease leg discoloration? ›
Discoloration: People with PAD may notice that the skin on their legs or feet is blue or purple in color. This occurs when the skin doesn't receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Dry, itchy, or scaly skin: Without enough blood, skin cells can't renew as quickly. This can lead to skin-related symptoms.
What is leg edema with discoloration? ›
For patients with chronic venous insufficiency, faulty valves allow blood to pool, increasing pressure and causing fluid leakage. This leakage can lead to swelling (edema) and a reddish or brownish discoloration from hemosiderin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin that accumulates in the tissues.
What does poor circulation in legs look like? ›
Possible signs of poor circulation include: Varicose veins. This happens when veins bulge with blood because valves aren't working right. The result is spidery lines of purplish-blue on your skin, most often in the legs.
What color are your legs with venous insufficiency? ›
Venous insufficiency can impact the skin on the legs, ankles and feet in various ways and may cause the following symptoms: Red, brown or purple skin.
How to improve poor blood circulation in legs? ›
You can reduce your risk of poor circulation in these ways:
- Exercise.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Don't smoke. If you do smoke, quit.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Manage high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
When PAD is more severe, findings may include: Calf muscles that shrink (wither or atrophy) Hair loss over the legs, feet, and toes. Painful, non-bleeding sores on the feet or toes (most often black) that are slow to heal.
How long does it take for discoloration to go away? ›
A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years. Discoloration that lies deep in the skin is often slate blue to gray in color.
What does an ischemic leg look like? ›
Symptoms of critical limb ischemia
Shiny, smooth, dry skin of the legs or feet. Thickening of the toenails. Absent or diminished pulse in the legs or feet. Open sores, skin infections or ulcers that will not heal.
If left untreated, PAD can result in the need for a major amputation of the foot or leg. This is most concerning because the life expectancy for 60% of PAD amputee patients is only 2 to 5 years.
Is walking good for blocked arteries in the legs? ›
Walking is especially good for you
Several randomized clinical trials have shown that walking can make a real difference for people with peripheral artery disease, says Emile R. Mohler, III, MD, late Director of Vascular Medicine at Penn Medicine.
Is leg discoloration serious? ›
Yes. Leg discoloration that is not caused by injury, allergic reaction, or bruising can be a sign of vascular disease. It is important to see a vascular specialist for a diagnosis and treatment of the venous problems causing leg discoloration and other symptoms.
Will drinking water reduce leg swelling? ›
“Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.
How to get rid of lower leg discoloration? ›
If your condition is not severe, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and home remedies, including wearing compression stockings, keeping your affected leg above your hips (to increase blood flow back to the heart), and exercising regularly. Your doctor may apply a steroid or topical medicine to your legs.
Why do my legs look purple and blotchy? ›
When circulation is poor, blood flow is congested and pressure builds in the veins. The pressure causes veins to leak, and blood pools. Iron from pooling red blood cells begins to stain lower leg skin, causing it to discolor and appear splotchy.
When should I worry about skin discoloration? ›
Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have: Skin discoloration that causes significant concern. Persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin. Any skin sore or lesion that changes shape, size, or color may be a sign of skin cancer.
Should I worry about hemosiderin staining? ›
In and of itself, the accumulation of hemosiderin is not a threat to health. However, because this can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, it would be a good idea for you to be evaluated by your health care provider.
