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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Discolouration On Legs Suggest?

Hi, For as long as I can remember (I m 32) I ve had a problem with my feet, they are regularly a very dark purple and people often comment. I do get cold feet but they change colour at all times - for instance today during a yoga class. I have similar spider web, purple blotchiness on my legs (to the point that I cover them always). I no longer smoke, I don t drink excessively, I am trying to exercise more. What could this be? I ve researched tonnes but as I don t get any pain and it is not just when I am cold, I can t find a diagnosis. I am always tired but have had my blood pressure taken regularly in the past which was fairly low and my heart rate was acceptable (if not slightly on the high side). I don t take any medication
posted on Sat, 9 May 2015
Twitter Fri, 5 Jun 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 8 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
This condition as you have described is suggestive of a condition called Raynauds phenomenon. Here the blood vessels become narrow during which blood flow is less and therefore oxygen is less to that area so it appears blue. Later as the blood vessels dilate , the skin changes colour again. This is a condition that can occur without any cause in which case it is called idiopathic . Sometimes this can also occur when there is some underlying disease in which case we have to do some tests. Smokers are also known to get a similar disease which is called Raynauds disease. If you get any feeling of numbness or pain during walking etc it means that the tissue affected is not getting enough blood. This can lead to serious problems so a physician usually examines for problems of blood flow. If there are no such problems then you can think of it as just another annoying problem. From the symptoms that you have described your condition appears to be a type of idiopathic Raynauds phenomenon. This is not a dangerous condition and you can manage this most of the time by keeping your feet warm. You may also get your legs examined by a physician to allay your anxiety.
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What Does Discolouration On Legs Suggest?

This condition as you have described is suggestive of a condition called Raynauds phenomenon. Here the blood vessels become narrow during which blood flow is less and therefore oxygen is less to that area so it appears blue. Later as the blood vessels dilate , the skin changes colour again. This is a condition that can occur without any cause in which case it is called idiopathic . Sometimes this can also occur when there is some underlying disease in which case we have to do some tests. Smokers are also known to get a similar disease which is called Raynauds disease. If you get any feeling of numbness or pain during walking etc it means that the tissue affected is not getting enough blood. This can lead to serious problems so a physician usually examines for problems of blood flow. If there are no such problems then you can think of it as just another annoying problem. From the symptoms that you have described your condition appears to be a type of idiopathic Raynauds phenomenon. This is not a dangerous condition and you can manage this most of the time by keeping your feet warm. You may also get your legs examined by a physician to allay your anxiety.