Do you suffer from Itching, Burning, Numbness Vein Irritations?

Itching/Burning/Numbness Vein Irritations

For some people, varicose veins are little more than a cosmetic issue. For others, varicose veins cause a variety of troubling and often uncomfortable symptoms. Please contact us today by calling Alaska Vein Care at 907-334-3347 to discuss your symptoms. We’re here to help!

What Is Venous Eczema?

Venous eczema (or varicose eczema), characterized by itching, burning and numbness of the skin of the lower legs, is a chronic skin condition that is common in people who suffer from varicose or spider veins. It often causes dry skin and a rash (varying in color from red, reddish, and mottled brown), and it may appear even when no spider or varicose veins are visible. In addition to the itching, burning and sensation of numbness, patients may experience warmth or throbbing in the affected area.

The skin damage caused by venous eczema can raise the risk of a patient developing skin ulcers.

What Causes Itching, Burning and Numbness?

Increased pressure in the leg veins caused by weakened valves can cause patients to develop venous eczema. When the valves stop functioning properly, blood flows back toward the foot, away from the heart, and it pools in the lower extremities. The resulting buildup of pressure can cause fluid to leak into surrounding tissue. It’s believed that the immune system’s response to this fluid may cause venous eczema.

Who Is at Risk for Venous Eczema?

While anyone with vein disease can develop venous eczema, there are certain factors that make it more likely in some patients than in others. You are more likely to develop venous eczema if:

• You are a woman
• You are obese
• You are pregnant
• You are immobile for an extended period of time
• You have previously had deep vein thrombosis
• Increasing age

What Is the Treatment for Venous Eczema?

At your initial appointment at Alaska Vein Care, our Interventional Radiologists will examine you and review your medical history. If an underlying vein disease is diagnosed, our providers will recommend an appropriate treatment plan to treat your vein disease. Click on the following Vein Treatments page to learn more about the vein treatment options.

For the treatment of your venous eczema, Alaska Vein Care will prescribe treatment that will relieve your symptoms of itching, burning and numbness. These may include:

• Moisturizers
• Topical corticosteroids
• Compression stockings

If you are experiencing itching, burning or numbness, don’t assume it’s simply the result of a dermatological condition. You may have an underlying vein condition that requires treatment — and when it comes to treating vein disease, there’s no better place than Alaska Vein Care.

Call us at (907) 334-3347 to schedule a 10-minute complementary screening.