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What is Varicose Eczema?

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What is Varicose Eczema?

  • Varicose eczema is a skin condition that occurs in your lower legs through the combination of varicose veins and eczema.
  • Your veins become bluish to purple and begin to bulge beneath your skin from being varicose.
  • This, in turn, facilitates eczema, a skin condition that causes an itchy, red rash on your skin.
  • Varicose eczema is also known as venous stasis dermatitis, venous eczema, gravitational dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.

What Causes Varicose Eczema?

  • Varicose veins are a result of the one-valve veins in your legs becoming weak over time.
  • The weaker valves cause “venous inefficiency” and result in improper blood flow from your legs back to your heart.
  • The blood then moves from your veins into the tissues and muscles surrounding it.
  • Your body reacts to the blood leak by mobilizing your immune system, which inflames the skin and results in eczema.
  • Varicose eczema is usually found among people suffering from an advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Eczema?

  • The most prominent symptom of varicose eczema is the itch you will feel all along your legs.
  • Beyond that, other symptoms you may feel include:
  1. A scaly, dry rash
  2. Inflamed, thin skin that may seem red, discolored, or even shiny.
  3. Aches throughout your legs.
  4. Hyperpigmentation in your legs leads to discolored skin.
  5. Your legs will feel warm but will be cold when touched.
  6. Ankle swelling throughout the day that only lessens when you go to sleep.
  • With time, areas of your skin may break apart and result in sores or leg ulcers.
  • These sores and ulcers prominently feature around your ankles.
  • More severe symptoms of varicose eczema include:
  1. The development of oozing blisters filled with fluid on your skin, which is called weeping eczema.
  2. Crusty, cracked skin.
  3. Swelling in the legs that will persist for some time and not go down when you go to sleep.
  • As varicose eczema continues to develop on your legs, your skin might develop another condition known as lipodermatosclerosis.
  • This happens when the subcutaneous fat layer that lies beneath your skin becomes inflamed.
  • This can cause further complication in your skin and make it:
  1. Tender to the extent that it becomes painful, or
  2. Thick and hard, or
  3. Change color to a reddish-brown or violet and brown.

Diagnosis of Varicose Eczema

  • The existence of CVI and the development of eczema symptoms are what help diagnose this condition.
  • Some tests that are used to diagnose it include:
  1. A skin patch test for allergens on the skin.
  2. Cardiac tests.
  3. A study of the arteries.
  4. A doppler ultrasound to measure blood flow.
  5. An ankle-brachial index test.

How to Reduce Risk of Varicose Eczema?

  • The following activities are recommended to reduce the risk and severity of varicose eczema:
  1. Do not keep standing or sit for lengthy periods.
  2. Avoid injuring the areas close to your varicose veins.
  3. Work out regularly.
  4. Drink water regularly.
  5. Avoid gaining weight.
  6. Wear soft, loosely fitting fabrics.
  7. Limit your salt intake.

Who Is At Risk of Varicose Eczema?

People with:

  • High blood pressure.
  • A recent leg injury
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney disease
  • Inflamed veins
  • Cellulitis
  • Deep-veined thrombosis

How is Varicose Eczema Treated?

The following are used for treating varicose eczema:

  • Corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation on the skin.
  • Wet dressings for weeping eczema.
  • Topical antibiotics for any infections.
  • Systemic or ablation therapies.