Dark, Thick, Itchy Skin Around the Ankle with Leg Heaviness : Early Signs of Venous Disease
4 weeks ago
The skin around my ankle has become dark, thick, dry, and rough over time. Sometimes there is itching and mild pain, and my leg also feels heavy. There is no open wound yet, but the skin looks unhealthy. What is this condition, and should I be worried?
Answers (1)
The skin changes seen around the ankle are most likely due to chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood does not flow properly back to the heart through the leg veins.
Because of poor circulation, pressure builds up in the veins, leading to skin darkening, thickening, dryness, itching, and hardening, a condition often called venous skin changes or lipodermatosclerosis.
This stage is important because if left untreated, it can eventually progress to painful, non-healing venous leg ulcers. Treatment focuses on improving blood circulation through compression stockings, leg elevation, regular walking, skin care with moisturizers, and managing underlying vein problems.
In many cases, minimally invasive vein treatments may be advised to prevent further damage. Early treatment can stop progression and protect the skin from breaking down.
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