How to Treat Ankle Discoloration

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Treat Ankle Discoloration

Have you noticed any discoloration around your ankle? It means that your veins are struggling to force the blood upwards to the heart, leaving behind pigments. You will need a medical expert to help control the problem. Experts of ankle discoloration in Tinley Park at Vascular Specialists have the knowledge and skills to help you treat your ankle and restore your self-esteem. They will also teach you the symptoms, causes, and treatments of the ankle discoloration.

Causes of Ankle Discoloration

Discoloration of the ankle is caused by blood clots and varicose veins due to your blood vessels becoming weak and unable to push blood up your legs. This is more common in women than men and mostly affects adults who are over 50 years old. Factors causing the discoloration include pregnancy, obesity, standing or sitting in one position for a long time without moving, and kidney failure.

Symptoms of Ankle Discoloration

The most common symptom of ankle discoloration is swollen legs and ankles, with pain that gets better when you rest or raise your legs and worsens when you stand. The skin around the ankle will then start thickening and change color with time. You might also develop wounds or ulcers on the legs that take time to heal. You could also have itchy, weak, and pain in the legs.

Diagnosis

Your ankle discoloration expert will do a physical examination on the ankles to allocate medication according to the damage’s extent. Your medical and family history is essential in case it is genetically transmitted. An ultrasound could be used to test the direction and speed of the blood flow in your veins.

Treatment of Ankle Discoloration

Treatment of ankle discoloration will depend on your age, specific symptoms, and the state of your condition. Ways to increase flood flow will include regular exercise, ensuring that you elevate your legs if possible, and wearing compression stockings that will help apply pressure on your ankles. You should also wear good fitting shoes and avoid standing or sitting in the same posture for a long time.

Your doctor will also recommend steroids and other medications to help you treat the pain, redness, and swelling on the ankles and legs. For itchy legs, you will be recommended antihistamine cream or pill. Pentoxifylline will help you improve blood flow.

When your condition is serious, surgery is an option to repair veins and valves and/or remove the damaged vein. A specialized surgeon will take you through the process, ensuring that you are fit for surgery. Laser surgery is done to close the damaged veins with lasers directed to the affected ankle vein. Surgery is not normally expected since ankle discoloration can go away with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight.

After ankle discoloration treatment, you will need to take care of your skin by using soft towels and gentle cleaners when you bath. If your skin gets irritated due to ankle discoloration, you will need to moisturize instead of scratching. Thick creams and petroleum jelly without any perfume or fragrance are good for you.

Conclusion

You can get rid of ankle discoloration if you follow your doctor’s advice and get that confidence back to wear skirts and shorts. You will also receive care on how to manage the condition in case it occurs. You should consult an ankle discoloration expert who will guide you on the correct medication or treatment in case of any symptoms.