Venous Insufficiency Treatment Specialist in NYC

If you are beginning to notice the area around your ankles is becoming darker or discolored, it can cause self-esteem or confidence issues that can take quite a toll on you. Often discolored ankles are a sign of venous insufficiency. This is largely due to your veins being responsible for pushing back deoxygenated blood to the heart, and if the veins in your legs are having difficulties fighting gravity to force blood upwards, the blood flow from the veins will then begin to affect your lower legs and ankles by leaving hemosiderin deposits.

Hemosiderin is medically known as a protein compound that will store iron from your blood in your body’s tissues. Deposits of hemosiderin may accumulate under the skin when your blood is flowing too insufficiently to return any excess back to your immune system which will then be cleared away and instead leaves dark pigmentation on your ankles.

If blood begins to pool in the legs, ankles, and feet, it will begin to create a gnarly, and thick vein, which is known as a varicose vein. These noticeable veins can become twisted and discolored, as well as unsightly to many. While you may think varicose veins are just a cosmetic change to the skin, you are incorrect. Poor blood circulation will cause swelling and can affect the health of your skin, which is where varicose veins begin to develop as well as many other vein issues.

There are a variety of causes that can cause the skin to become darker naturally. Some of these common reasons can be temporary side effects or long-term.

– Sunburn
Sunburn is your skin’s reaction to damaging UV rays, usually from the skin, and can cause the skin to become darker or red.

– Birthmarks
Birthmarks are colored area of skin that appears at birth or just after.

– Eczema
Eczema is a medical condition that can cause irritation and inflammation of the skin.

– Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an auto-inflammatory medical condition that produces can cause the body to produce excess skin cells rapidly, which causes a buildup of cells on the surface.

– Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a medical condition that can cause depigmented patches of skin.

– Skin cancer
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, with discoloration on the legs a symptom.

– Venous insufficiency
Veins within your legs are unable to function correctly, making it difficult for the legs to function properly, and having the blood return back to the heart.

– Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition where your blood sugar levels become too high, and the signs will begin to show on the skin.

– Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation will occur after physical trauma like a scratch, scrape, friction, or cut.

– Schaumberg’s disease
With Schaumberg’s disease, you begin to have capillaries leaking, and will often notice areas of discoloration on the legs.

Depending on who you visit for venous insufficiency will depend on which treatment they will offer first, mainly treatment plans are based on important details including:
– Age
– Medical history
– Overall health
– How serious your venous insufficiency is
– Signs and symptoms
– If your condition is expected to become worse
– If you can handle particular medications, therapies, or treatments
– What route you would like to take

Treatment may include or be combined to include:
– Improving your blood flow to the leg veins
– Medication
– Endovenous laser ablation
– Radiofrequency ablation
– Sclerotherapy
– Surgery

If you leave venous insufficiency untreated, it can damage your veins, and begin to cause serious complications including bleeding, and potentially fatal conditions like deep vein thrombosis. For more information, call us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from New York NY, Brooklyn NY, Manhattan NY, Bronx NY, Hoboken NJ, West New York NJ, and surrounding areas.