Varicose veins on legs can be itchy along with other symptoms like heaviness on the legs, dry skin and cramps. Though itching seems to be a strange symptom for a vein problem, understanding how the veins and body system work together makes it easier to avoid itching as a symptom included in best treatment for varicose veins in Chennai. Itching due to varicose veins can be a minor irritation or more dangerous than just a nuisance as it can lead to complications such as infections, cellulitis and venous stasis ulcers. Untreated itching from varicose veins can also lead to the skin becoming hard and brown over time, especially near the ankle.
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The discomfort from itchy varicose veins can be eased by simple methods that help find fast and effective relief but to avoid itching from varicose veins forever, getting rid of the varicose veins themselves is a great option.
How Varicose Veins on Legs Cause Itching
The varicose veins do not move blood back toward the heart, leading to an accumulation of blood in the veins that increases pressure in the vein. Blood begins to leak out of the vein and into the surrounding soft tissue, like the skin, to reduce the increased pressure.
Varicose veins itch because of Stasis Dermatitis – Since blood is meant to stay within the vein and not outside the vein, swelling develops in the leg and skin stretches over the swelling. This irritates the skin, often causing red or brown discoloration, cracking the skin, and causing rashes, inflammation, and itching. The blood leaking out of the veins and associated inflammation may lead to a lack of oxygen reaching the skin. As venous stasis dermatitis other called venous eczema gets worse, the skin over the lower legs get scaly and itching can become very intense. This can form sores that ooze fluid and then scab over. Scratching the skin because of itching can further aggravate the skin condition leading to infection.
Increased histamine – Since varicose veins are damaged veins and venous function is not proper, the body works to repair the vein. During the process of repair, the body produces hormones like histamine which is the same as the hormone that causes itchiness when released in response to an allergic reaction. Hence, the histamine can trigger the sensation of itchiness as the body is trying to heal the varicose veins that are leaking and blood is flowing into nearby tissues.
Temporary ways to avoid itching due to varicose veins
Itching is one of the unpleasant symptoms of varicose veins that is usually more of a nuisance and most distressing. Everyday tasks become difficult and sleep gets interrupted because of the constant urge to scratch the itch. But rubbing the skin over varicose veins will exacerbate the symptom. The only cure for varicose veins and their symptoms is to surgically remove the damaged vein, one of the best interventions being varicose vein laser treatment in Chennai. Temporary ways and methods to avoid itching that may be tried as alleviating measures on a short-term approach are:
Avoid scratching – Scratching the itchy areas can lead to further trauma in the vein and more histamine may be produced by the body to heal this trauma, thus making the condition even worse. Cuts in the skin caused by scratching may also lead to skin infection or not allow healing of the wound that has formed from excess swelling and fluid in the tissue.
Topical Applications – Medicated creams can help bring down inflammation in the legs and relieve the itch. Topical applications such as calamine that contain antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams when used regularly can calm irritated skin and prevent the urge to itch. Thick moisturizing creams also may help to keep the skin hydrated while it heels, but care must be taken not to use perfumed ones as they may inflame the skin further. Any application must be always checked with the physician before use.
Leg Elevation – Blood pooling in the lower legs can be reversed by raising the legs at the end of each day. Keeping the legs above the level of the heart enhances the backward pull of gravity in the veins and encourages blood to return to the heart. Doing this for 15 minutes every few hours can also alleviate the skin from stretching which contributes to itching.
Compression Stockings – Wearing compression stockings as prescribed by the vein specialist can gently press the veins to pump the blood upward towards the chest. As blood gets moving in the right direction, the cycle of daily swelling can be broken to prevent the stretched, cracked skin that causes itching and at the same time promote healing.
Staying Active – Veins work better while moving. To promote good circulation in the legs and counteract symptoms of varicose veins including itching, one must stay active. Regular exercises like walking and biking strengthen the calf muscles which help in pumping blood up through the veins. Simple movements such as flexing the ankles while being seated for long hours can improve blood flow and prevent the pooling of blood in the veins, minimizing the swelling that leads to irritated skin and itching.
Varicose Vein Treatments to Avoid Itching Permanently
Varicose veins do not get corrected without medical intervention. There are options to subside the itching that varicose veins cause, but treating varicose veins is the best way to avoid symptoms. The underlying cause of venous incompetency has to be identified and varicose veins removed by specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of vein diseases. Fortunately, management of itching and other symptoms of varicose veins is available through modern treatments that involve outpatient procedures and are minimally invasive. Sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation, and venaseal procedures may be advised and opted for, based on the symptoms, the severity of itching, and corresponding varicose veins treatment cost in Chennai. Treating the source of the problem can prevent varicose eczema that may otherwise become chronic and cause permanent skin thickening, discoloration, and painful venous ulcers in the legs.