A New Orleans Vein Specialist Explains What Leg Discoloration Means

There are many possible causes of red or reddish-brown discoloration on the legs and ankles, ranging from injury to sunburn to eczema. But if the discoloration lasts for more than a week and is accompanied by swelling in the affected limbs, there is a good chance that it's a sign of vein disease. The redness is often the result of a condition called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI, the same vein disease that causes varicose veins.

Why would a vein disease cause skin discoloration

CVI occurs when the tiny valves that control blood flow through your veins become damaged and can no longer function properly. Instead of opening to allow blood to flow through and then closing afterwards, they remain open, allowing blood to flow "backwards" and pool in the veins. This is what causes the veins to swell and become varicose, but it also causes a fluid buildup that irritates the skin above the affected veins and results in inflammation.

Seeking prompt vein treatment in New Orleans can eliminate these diseased veins and return your legs to their normal health and beauty, but if the CVI is left untreated, the skin inflammation can escalate and result in dry and itchy skin that is extremely fragile and prone to injury. Just bumping your leg on a chair can result in cuts and open wounds that turn into bleeding leg ulcers. These wounds often don't respond to normal treatment and resist healing, leaving them prone to more serious infection.

What can a New Orleans vein specialist do to treat this condition?

If the CVI is minor and has not resulted in large numbers of varicose veins or leg ulcers, sometimes conservative treatment involving compression stockings, exercise, and lifestyle changes can help. If there are many varicose veins and they have begun to cause unpleasant side effects such as chronic swelling in the legs and ankles, varicose vein removal is often more appropriate. This gets rid of the varicose veins permanently, but also removes the cause of the redness and skin discoloration. And fortunately, modern vein treatment is fast, easy, painless, and can be performed in your local Covington vein clinic.

So if you are concerned about the appearance of your legs, give us a call at 985-892-2950 and schedule an initial appointment. In about an hour we can tell you whether the skin discoloration is due to vein disease, and if so, explain the various treatment options to you.

Author Bio: A New Orleans vein Treatment discusses the causes of leg discoloration, and how it could reveal the presence of vein disease.

For more information: www.labellavitavein.com

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