Varicose dermatitis is a specific disease in which the skin over the veins becomes inflamed. At the same time, their function decreases or is completely lost.
Disease Description
First there are problems with the veins, their wall is gradually thinning, and the liquid component of the blood enters the integumentary tissue. This provokes the appearance of varicose dermatitis. As a result, inflammation occurs, in which the appearance of the skin changes, it begins to peel off and itch.
This disease is mainly chronic, the skin of the lower extremities after which it is necessary to constantly pay close attention. If this is not done, trophic ulcers may arise in the future, the treatment of which is a difficult and time-consuming task.
Until such complications have manifested themselves, surgery may be required.
The main causes of the disease
We will understand why varicose dermatitis occurs.
This disease appears most often due to the following problems with the veins:
- varicose veins;
- venous thrombosis of vessels of the deep or superficial system. In this case, there may be signs of an inflammatory process (thrombophlebitis), or they may not be.
In the lower extremities, blood stagnates most often due to the action of gravity, which is why prerequisites arise for a kind of blood depot in the veins. But venous vessels have certain features. This is necessary to return blood to the general bloodstream. The vein wall has a strong muscle layer, as well as valves along the course of the blood. Valve flaps work only one way. The walls of the veins are reduced and together with the valves direct the blood back, forced to overcome gravity.
The lower leg muscles and the presence of negative pressure in the chest also contribute to this, as a result, blood in the vessels rushes up.
Excess weight, prolonged standing, injuries of the lower extremities, kidney disease and the cardiovascular system significantly increase the load on the veins. Gravity is becoming increasingly difficult for them to overcome, so dystrophy of the muscle wall occurs.
But this is not varicose dermatitis.
What other factors provoke the disease?
Thinning is facilitated by the fact that a small amount of muscle fiber inside is genetically programmed. Also, in diabetes mellitus and smokers of alcohol, dystrophy of the muscle wall of the veins occurs faster.
The upper limbs are not exposed to this pathological process, varicose disease and dermatitis do not occur in them. Of course, the appearance of thrombosis is not excluded, but it happens because of medical manipulations in this area, and also when a pathology in the mammary glands in women develops. But varicose dermatitis of the upper extremities will definitely not be.
Due to the thinning of the venous wall of the blood, it is problematic to return to the heart, so it begins to stagnate. It becomes viscous, which leads to thrombosis. If a woman takes combined oral contraceptives, then the risk of thrombosis increases. In addition, frequent pregnancies and abortions lead to this.
Despite the viscosity of the blood, the body has the task of returning it to the general bloodstream. At the venous wall, permeability increases, which leads to the release of its liquid lobe under the skin. So the swelling in the legs is formed. With a large accumulation of edematous fluid, inflammation occurs and, consequently, varicose dermatitis in the lower extremities.
The likelihood of developing the disease is the same for everyone (both men and women), only children are not exposed to it, even with existing varicose veins.
Signs of Varicose Dermatitis
Many are interested to know how varicose dermatitis of the lower extremities is manifested. The photo is presented in this article.
Varicose veins and thrombosis have several stages. In this regard, the symptoms of varicose dermatitis will vary. The initial stage of venous lesion is characterized by:
- periodic occurrence of itching in the lower extremities;
- redness on the legs - in the region of the lower leg and ankles, and the foot and thigh are not subject to redness;
- in places of redness, the appearance of dense skin, less warm to the touch;
- the appearance of small vesicles on this dense skin with transparent contents. After a while, they disappear on their own.
Varicose dermatitis, meanwhile, is developing.
As the process continues, the skin itches more and more often. It turns dark red with pronounced density. Small nodules are also felt under it. The number of bubbles increases, but crusts and peeling form as they disappear.
If untreated varicose dermatitis is treated , symptoms will be added.
Additional symptoms
Gradually, the skin color changes to dark purple. It is rough to the touch and glistens. This leads to the appearance of trophic ulcers. These defects have a round and irregular shape, small or medium size, “torn” edges. In fact, this is an open wound, which, if not treated appropriately, quickly begins to fester. The purulent discharge is yellow, greenish or yellow-white.
Itching in the lower leg becomes unbearable. A person becomes more and more annoyed, stops sleeping normally. Therapy at this stage of the disease should be comprehensive, takes a long period of time. But self-medication is unacceptable, the consultation of a surgeon is necessary. Otherwise, the situation may worsen. After the healing of trophic ulcers, scars form.
So manifested varicose dermatitis. The treatment is discussed below.
Therapies
It involves activities aimed at:
- Improving venous outflow from the legs.
- Elimination of edema.
- Removal of inflammation.
- Moisturize the affected skin so that it does not crack.
- Suppuration Prevention.
All this is included in systemic therapy with the use of tablets, injections, ointments. But the treatment will depend entirely on the stage of varicose dermatitis.
First stage therapy
Preparations containing diosmin (Detralex, Venorus, Phlebodia) improve venous outflow. Capsules increase muscle tone of veins. With compression underwear, venous congestion is eliminated. A large number of stockings and tights are on sale to replace the function of weakened venous walls. The selection is carried out by an angiosurgeon or phlebologist. But before this, dopplerography of the vessels of the legs should be performed.
Compression clothing contributes to the treatment of varicose dermatitis, as well as the elimination of varicose veins in general. Blood clots are less common, the legs do not swell so much, fatigue in the legs is almost not felt, and it is typical for the diagnosis of varicose dermatitis of the lower extremities.
What helps with itching? The use of the following antihistamines in these cases is indicated:
- "Tsetrina."
- "Erius."
- "Zodaka."
- "Diazolin."
and ointments:
- "Fenistila."
- "Psilo-Balm."
A rather unpleasant disease is varicose dermatitis. Ointment treatment is not limited. What else is used in therapy?
Cracking of tightened skin is prevented by the use of special moisturizers:
- baby pH neutral cream;
- Seni Care Gel;
- Seni Care cream with arginine,
If there are bubbles, they are treated with zinc solution or baby powder. Any protective creams that contain zinc are also suitable.
Venotonics and antihistamines relieve the inflammatory process, itching, swelling. Complications from infection by combing can be avoided thanks to them. At this treatment, the first stage of the disease can be stopped. With a disease such as varicose dermatitis, folk remedies can also help.
Second stage therapy
Venotonic drugs and compression underwear are also used here. But itching of the limbs is treated in a slightly different way. Systemic antihistamines may not be enough. Hormonal ointments are prescribed, which are applied to inflamed areas of the skin.
Effectively course application:
- "Elokoma."
- Lokoid.
- "Sinaflan."
When suppurations, the use of combined ointments in the composition with an antiseptic and hormones (Pimafukorta, Triderma) is indicated. Light sedatives or daytime tranquilizers will help calm the itching and nervous system, and relieve insomnia. These include:
- Valerian.
- Tincture of motherwort.
- "Sedasen."
- Adaptol.
How is the disease treated in the third stage?
We examined how varicose dermatitis is treated (a photo was also presented) of the second stage. What if the disease worsens?
With trophic ulcers, surgery is indicated in which pathologically altered veins are removed. But if the ulcer has recently occurred or has just been suppurating, the operation is not performed. First, acute inflammation is removed. The preparatory stage for the operation consists in the following steps:
- Appointment of bed rest with raised limb. This will provide blood and lymph drainage.
- Washing ulcers, removing particles of dead tissue.
- Intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs that improve vascular limb patency.
- Compression of the legs with elastic bandages.
- Blood glucose control and its reduction if necessary.
- The use of antihistamines in the form of injections.
Traditional medicine
Folk medicine offers many recipes for varicose dermatitis. They can be used in combination with drug treatment.
Honey and garlic
To prepare the tincture, garlic should be chopped, and then pour honey. Soak in a dark place for a week. Use the finished mixture three times a day for 1 teaspoon for two months. Honey 350 g, garlic 250 g.
Cabbage leaves
For two weeks in a row cabbage leaf is tied to a sore foot. To soften the sheet, they beat it off, on the leg they fix it with a bandage. Then, after a few days, the dressing is replaced by a new one.
Aloe Compresses
Aloe compresses are used to relieve inflammation and moisturize the skin. An infusion of these leaves on water is suitable or you can simply apply them to your legs in a cut form.
Foot Care Tips
It is necessary to carefully care for your feet with varicose dermatitis. They are washed with water and dissolved soap every day. To wipe the feet should be soft soaking movements, after which a moisturizer or gel, as well as hormonal ointment is applied. It depends on what stage the disease has.
Eat foods that contain rutin. This vitamin is good for tonus veins. It contains buckwheat, bell pepper, mountain ash.
We must carefully deal with excess weight, as this is a load on the dilated and thrombosed veins. It is also necessary to go to the endocrinologist to rule out diabetes and other pathologies that lead to obesity.
It is unlikely to completely eliminate the venous problem, and this will provoke a new inflammation under the skin. Affected skin should not be injured. Clothing made from natural fabrics that does not squeeze limbs is suitable for these purposes. Women are better off wearing skirts and dresses. Shoes should be comfortable.
Prevention
As a prevention of varicose dermatitis, gymnastics, walking in comfortable athletic shoes and a diet without flour, fat and sweet are used.
We examined varicose dermatitis of the lower extremities. Treatment and prevention have been described in detail.