Skin Discoloration & Thickening

Vein Treatment

What can be done about Skin Discoloration and Thickening?

Changes in skin color or texture, especially around the lower legs or ankles, may seem like surface-level concerns, but they can be a sign of moderate to severe vein disease. Conditions like venous stasis dermatitis, lipodermatosclerosis, fibrosis, and hyperpigmentation are the result of increased pressure from pooling of blood and fluid below the knees. The skin can get inflamed, red and itchy, such as in venous stasis dermatitis, or thick and darker, as with conditions like lipodermatosclerosis, fibrosis, or atrophie blanche. Unfortunately, if left untreated, the skin can break, causing frequent infections (or recurrent cellulitis) and skin wounds or ulcers.

Although some skin changes can be permanent and irreversible, treatment of venous insufficiency will not only halt the progression of disease, but can reverse some of the damage.

Here are some of the treatment options available for patients dealing with skin discoloration, venous stasis dermatitis, and skin thickening or fibrosis:

Medical Graded Compression Stockings 

Compression stockings reduce the swelling in your legs that can lead to skin discoloration, taking the pressure off the skin. Wearing compression stockings is great for preventing vein disease, but if you have been diagnosed with venous insufficiency, it’s important to get prescription-strength stockings. They will be measured to fit you and come in a much bigger selection of sizes. They also use fabrics that feel much better than some of the over-the-counter ones. Finally, they are graded, meaning they are designed to have increased pressure at the ankle where pooling is the most severe, and reduce the pressure up the leg so the sock does not cause a tourniquet effect (which can worsen your swelling). With venous insufficiency, you should be wearing socks that provide at a minimum of 20-30 mmHg of pressure and higher pressure if you show signs of skin breakage or wound formation.

Companies like Juzo, Sigvaris, Jobst, and Medi have a wide selection of stockings that will reduce your symptoms and make your legs feel much better. They do require a prescription, which we can provide, and you will be directed to a Direct Medical Equipment store where they can check to see if your insurance carrier will reimburse you for them. As of January 2024, the Lymphedema Care Act went into effect, and Medicare will cover compression stockings if your disease falls into this category of severity.

Topical Agents

There are various topicals that can be prescribed or recommended for skin changes that are related to chronic venous insufficiency. For venous stasis dermatitis, you may be prescribed a topical steroid, but it is not intended for anything other than temporary or short-term use. In fact, long-term topical steroids like hydrocortisone and triamcinolone should only be used at the direction of a dermatologist.

Excessive skin cracking or dryness can lead to breaks in the skin, further increasing your risk of infection. Using topical lotions that are fragrance-free and non-toxic, one to two times a day, can prevent the skin from breaking. We recommend lotions like Eucerin or Cetaphil.

Hyperpigmentation of the skin, or darkened discoloration, will sometimes respond with over-the-counter lotions, like Dermaka, or prescription-strength, like hydroquinone.

Advanced Vein Treatment

Treating the source of the problem with skin discoloration and thickening is crucial. Multiple medical conditions can be the cause and need to be evaluated. A thorough venous insufficiency evaluation, including a duplex ultrasound of the legs, can determine if vein disease is the source. There are multiple, minimally invasive treatments we offer that can reduce skin discoloration, thickening, and progression of disease.

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Venous Stasis Dermatitis

Skin Thickening and Discoloration

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Gone are the days of painful vein treatment! At our facilities, we utilize the most up-to-date equipment and techniques to ensure that you’re getting the best, lowest-pain, and quickest-recovering vein care possible.

Our approach is designed to minimize pain, reduce downtime, and deliver outstanding results, allowing you to focus on feeling confident and revitalized without needing to worry about a difficult recovery. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities, every step of the way.

“Dr. Abernethy and her staff were courteous and professional throughout all of my treatment sessions. They were excellent at explaining the procedures and treatments before performing them. My recovery time was minimal and pain after my procedures was very manageable. I would highly recommend using Vanish – Advanced Vein Treatments to anyone that is in need of vein treatment”