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Darkening Of Skin On Both Legs Below Knee. Splotches On Feet. Suggest The Treatment?
Question: I have had darkening of the skin on both of my legs below the knee in the shin area and some splotches on the top and sides of both of my feet. They appear to be identical on both legs. Also, there is a pain that will shoot through them periodically and both legs are very sensitive. Also, if I happen to scrape or knock my shin (where there would normally be a scrape mark) it creates a spot where puss will drip from it for a couple of days and then takes quite a while to heal. I first noticed only small splotches of darkening (no pain or the puss situation) on my toes after having an injury to my leg where a piece of firewood hit my left shin pretty hard about 7 years ago. The darkening spots on my legs now appear to be glossy (shiny). Any ideas. I was getting a physical a couple of years ago and my doctor said that it looked like Venus, but she was not a dermatologist either.
Brief Answer:
Chronic venous insufficiency. Do Doppler study.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
You are having Chronic venous insufficiency.
This is due to failure of valves in the vein in leg.
The veins have one-way valves throughout the blood vessel that keeps the blood moving in the right direction, toward the heart.
When these valves do not close properly, blood can leak backwards.
This results in venous stasis and poor circulation to surrounding areas.
This lead to darkening of skin.
It is essential to evaluate the blood vessels in both lower limbs.
Please do the following investigation and consult a vascular surgeon.
1. Duplex scanning—venous Doppler ultrasound
2. Venogram.
Till the investigation please follow
1. Wear special elastic stockings that squeeze the veins in the legs.
2. Walk and do specific exercises for your legs and feet.
3. Avoid long periods of sitting and standing.
4. Get up and walk, or flex your leg muscles every 30 minutes.
5. Apply an antibiotic cream to help prevent infection of wound.
Hope this helps.
Please reply for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Chronic venous insufficiency. Do Doppler study.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
You are having Chronic venous insufficiency.
This is due to failure of valves in the vein in leg.
The veins have one-way valves throughout the blood vessel that keeps the blood moving in the right direction, toward the heart.
When these valves do not close properly, blood can leak backwards.
This results in venous stasis and poor circulation to surrounding areas.
This lead to darkening of skin.
It is essential to evaluate the blood vessels in both lower limbs.
Please do the following investigation and consult a vascular surgeon.
1. Duplex scanning—venous Doppler ultrasound
2. Venogram.
Till the investigation please follow
1. Wear special elastic stockings that squeeze the veins in the legs.
2. Walk and do specific exercises for your legs and feet.
3. Avoid long periods of sitting and standing.
4. Get up and walk, or flex your leg muscles every 30 minutes.
5. Apply an antibiotic cream to help prevent infection of wound.
Hope this helps.
Please reply for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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