How to Reverse Leg Discoloration Caused by a Vascular Disease?

Many people with advanced vascular disease develop leg discoloration or feet discoloration. This can appear as darkening or redness of the skin or a rash-like appearance. Sometimes, the discoloration changes depending on the elevation of the leg. Skin discoloration can represent a worsening of vascular disease and should be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially if other symptoms such as leg pain or leg swelling are present.

With appropriate therapy, skin discoloration from vascular disease can often be improved. In this article we will summarize the ways to reverse leg discoloration caused by a vascular disease.

Why Does Vascular Disease Cause Leg Discoloration?

Vascular disease is comprised of venous or arterial disease. Chronic vein disease can cause blood to pool in the lower legs similar to Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Small blood vessels at the skin surface become inflamed and burst, releasing iron which stains the skin.

Advanced arterial disease can cause the same type of inflammation at the skin surface. In severe cases of arterial disease, skin can also start to lose oxygen and turn blue or black.

Both types of vascular disease can eventually lead to dry, scaly, thick, or itchy skin, or the development of slow-healing wounds called ulcers. Skin discoloration can be a warning sign of advancing vascular disease. See a vascular specialist to determine your next step.

What Is the Treatment for Leg Discoloration?

The first step in treating leg discoloration is determining the underlying cause and an evaluation with a vascular specialist is usually a good place to start. This evaluation will includes the following:

1) Ultrasound Examination - An ultrasound of the legs and perhaps the pelvis, as well completed by a trained vascular specialist.

2) Physicial check - Your healthcare provider will also examine your legs and feet, feel for pulses in your feet and ankles, and check for swelling. If your leg discoloration is coming from vascular disease, your health care provider will then be able to customize a plan for treatment.

3) Prescribe the best route for the patient - Once the underlying cause of your skin discoloration is determined, the next step is improving or correcting that issue. In some cases, this entails things like compression socks, exercise, and leg elevation. There are also supplements and skin products that may be able to help.

4) Minimally-Invasive procedure or a hospital operation. In other cases, one or more procedures are needed to improve circulation. Often, these procedures can be performed in an outpatient clinic and do not require being put to sleep or going to a hospital. Most patients experience minimal recovery after these types of procedures. The most severe cases of vascular disease may require an operation in the hospital. To avoid hospital operations please don't wait to seek medical attention from a vascular doctor.

Natural Remedies

Early stages of skin changes from vascular disease may be reversible. Specifically, redness and dryness of the legs is easier to resolve than brownish discoloration, but even this can be improved in some cases. The following measures are good initial treatments.

Exercise- Walking regularly can help to circulate blood instead of allowing it to pool in the lower legs, causing redness.
Elevating legs at rest- putting your legs up to at least the level of your heart eliminates the strain of gravity on the veins and allows it to leave the legs more easily, reducing some redness. If you can get the legs higher than the heart, that’s even better!
1. Sometimes, recliners don’t actually elevate the legs by much and still allow them to hang downward
2. There are special pillows available that help to elevate the legs to the appropriate level
Compression socks- using compression socks or wraps can help prevent blood from pooling in the legs. Overtime, this pooling can cause permanent staining of the skin. Compression socks can be knee-high, thigh-high, panty hose, or legging style, depending on patient preference and how much swelling, if any, is present. Don’t wear compression socks at night or at all if they hurt. Ask your healthcare provider for more specifications.
Skincare - skin hydration is important for dry, scaling, or itchy skin. Choose oily products like coconut oil instead of runny, water-based lotions. Also, use sunscreen over discolored areas to prevent worsening.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment for skin discoloration from vascular disease focuses on healing any wounds that may be present and protecting the skin from further damage. These treatments are typically covered by insurance since there is underlying disease present. The type of treatment needed depends of the type of disease present.

Vein Disease - treatment for vein disease usually involves closing or removing dysfunctional veins, and in some cases, opening compressed veins, in order to establish better circulation. Once blood is moving back to the heart more efficiently, it has less chance to pool in the legs and stain the skin. This can result in less redness of the legs, and improve wound healing.

There are also prescription oral and topical medications that can help improve skin appearance and texture, and to treat or prevent infection skin infections or wounds.

Arterial Disease- treatment for arterial disease focuses on opening blockages to allow more blood and oxygen to reach the tissues of the legs and feet. This can reverse some darkening or redness of the skin, and improve wound healing