Should You See a Doctor About Skin Discoloration on Your Legs?

Carol Sada • 1 April 2023

If you’ve noticed skin discoloration on your legs, it could indicate an underlying medical condition. One of the most common causes of skin discoloration on the legs is vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency.

Vein disease can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated. Treating vein disease can alleviate your symptoms, improve your overall health, and reduce your risk of developing more serious medical conditions.

At One Vein Clinic , vein expert Dr. Fawzi Farha provides comprehensive treatments for a full range of issues that affect the veins. It’s wise to visit a vein specialist for an evaluation when you notice skin discoloration. An ultrasound to assess the blood flow in your legs is commonly used to help identify any areas of blockage or reflux. Based on your exam and ultrasound results, Dr. Farha can diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.

Understanding Vein Disease

Leg veins carry blood back to your heart. They have small valves that open and close to allow blood to flow in one direction. When the valves are damaged or weak, blood can flow backward and pool in your legs, causing various symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of vein disease include:

Leg pain
Swelling in the legs
Varicose veins
Spider veins
Leg cramps
Restless leg syndrome
Itching or burning in the legs
Skin changes

Don’t hesitate to speak with a vein specialist if you notice any signs of skin discoloration on your legs or other vein problems.

Skin Discoloration on Your Legs

Skin discoloration on your legs is a common symptom of vein disease. When blood pools in your legs due to weak or damaged veins, it can cause the skin to become discolored. The discoloration is often seen around the ankles and can extend up the legs. The discoloration is caused by the breakdown of red blood cells, which release iron into the surrounding tissue. This iron can stain the skin, causing discoloration. Other skin changes, such as thickening or ulceration, can also occur.

Treatment Options for Vein Disease

There are several treatment options for vein disease, ranging from lifestyle changes to minimally invasive procedures. The most appropriate treatment for you will depend on the severity of your condition and your individual health needs. Here are some of the most common treatment options for vein disease:

Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, changing your lifestyle can help alleviate the symptoms of vein disease. Dr. Farha may recommend that you:

Exercise regularly
Lose weight if you are overweight
Elevate your legs when resting
Wear compression stockings to improve blood flow

In many cases, these changes improve symptoms. However, there are effective treatments to eliminate bad veins and boost vascular health.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive vein treatment that involves injecting a solution into the affected veins. The veins eventually dissipate after using this treatment once they collapse. The most common conditions treated with sclerotherapy are spider and minor varicose veins.

Endovenous Laser Treatment

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to close off the affected veins. During the procedure, a small laser fiber is inserted into the affected vein, and laser energy is used to heat it, causing it to collapse. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and has a high success rate.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses radiofrequency energy to shut off the problem veins. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted into the targeted vein, and radiofrequency energy heats it, causing it to collapse. Like EVLT, RFA is typically performed under local anesthesia and has a high success rate.

Treatment Improves Vascular Health

If left untreated, vein disease can progress, leading to more serious complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Treatment reduces the chances of complications and improves overall vein health.

To schedule an evaluation, call our clinic at 904-990-0777 or book online today . Your vascular health is our top priority!

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A man in a scrub top and glasses is posing for a picture with his arms crossed.

Vein Treatments with Award-Winning Compassion

by Carol Sada • 29 January 2024

We know that many patients are nervous about getting vein treatments. We understand. At One Vein Clinic, we want you to know that we do our best to make your experience as relaxing and stress-free as possible. Our staff is very compassionate and friendly and you can ask as many questions as you need to make you feel confident and comfortable. We are here to answer your questions, allay your fears, and hold your hand. This attitude of compassion comes from the top. Dr. Farha received an award for his compassionate care. Here’s the story:

A close up of a woman wearing glasses and smiling.

Meet Brenda, Our Vascular Ultrasound Specialist

by Carol Sada • 13 December 2023

It’s the people at One Vein Clinic who are truly behind our success. We are not your typical doctor’s office and that’s on purpose. We want our patients to feel relaxed, comfortable, and at ease, so we treat them like family. Our staff creates a warm, welcoming, and fun environment. Our ultimate goal is to have you miss going to your appointments once your treatments are over! While that may seem like a lofty goal for someone in the healthcare field, it is, nevertheless, what we strive to achieve. With that in mind, we’d like to introduce you to someone you will meet when you come in for vein treatment – Brenda, our Vascular Ultrasound Specialist.

A field of pink tulips with a white tulip in the middle.

One-of-a-Kind Vein Clinic Office

by Carol Sada • 30 November 2023

At One Vein Clinic, we strive to create a warm and friendly office environment. We know that coming in for varicose vein treatment can be a little stressful for some patients. Let’s face it, going to the doctor – any doctor is not something we look forward to. But when you come to One Vein Clinic, you’ll find that we’re not like all the other vein clinics. We do our best to make you feel welcome and at ease.

A brown and black dog is looking out of a window.

Welcome to One Vein Clinic’s “No Waiting” Waiting Room

by Carol Sada • 23 October 2023

Nobody likes to wait. At One Vein Clinic, we do our best to respect your time. One of the main ways we do that is with our booking schedule. We don’t like to keep our patients waiting. So we book the schedule accordingly. Our patients come in for vein treatments and are generally seen within 15 minutes of their appointment time at the very most. We keep a close eye on the scheduling so that we can ensure that we give each person the appropriate amount of time for their procedure while ensuring Dr. Farha doesn’t get too backed up. We don’t overbook the schedule because we know that no one likes waiting.

Meet Our Office Insurance Ninja – Most Varicose Vein Treatments Are Covered by Insurance

by Carol Sada • 28 September 2023

Yes, most varicose vein treatments are covered by insurance! At One Vein Clinic, we get to know our patients very well. Our office atmosphere is more like a family than a doctor’s office. We have found that we learn important things about our patients when we get to know them as people. One of the things we’ve learned from listening to our patients’ stories is that many people don’t know that most varicose vein treatments are covered by insurance.

A person Varicose veins on their leg pushing a child on a swing.

ClosureFast™ Treatment for Varicose Veins

by Carol Sada • 30 August 2023

If you’ve been living with the pain and embarrassment of varicose veins, but you’re afraid of painful vein-stripping surgery, ClosureFast™ may be exactly the treatment you’re looking for. ClosureFast™ treatment for varicose veins is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy (heat) to close problematic varicose veins. With this procedure, a catheter delivers consistent and uniform heat which causes the collagen in the vein walls to collapse and the vein closes.

A woman 's legs with varicose veins on a white background.

Varithena Treatment for Varicose Veins

by Carol Sada • 27 July 2023

If you’ve been living with the pain and embarrassment of varicose veins, but you’re afraid of painful vein-stripping surgery, Varithena treatment may be exactly what you’re looking for. Varithena is an FDA-approved microfoam treatment that is gentle and nearly-painless. At One Vein Clinic, this non-surgical, outpatient procedure is performed right here in our office, not a hospital. No general anesthesia, sedation, or incisions are required. The procedure usually takes less than one hour and there’s no downtime afterward. You can get right back to whatever you had planned that day. Learn more about Varithena and feel free to call us to ask any questions you may have after reading this blog article.

A woman is sitting on a couch holding her leg in pain.

The Dangers of DVT

by Carol Sada • 8 June 2023

Good vein health ensures proper blood circulation and prevents complications like deep vein thrombosis. You can safeguard yourself against serious issues and promote optimal vascular health by caring for your veins. Read on to learn more about the dangers of DVT and how to lower your risk.

A person wearing gloves is touching their knee.

Why Sclerotherapy in Winter Is a Great Idea

by Carol Sada • 8 May 2023

Varicose veins are prevalent, affecting 1 in 4 adults. However, this doesn’t mean you have to accept their impact on your appearance. These pesky veins stand out as bulging, twisted, discolored veins most often appearing on the legs. Varicose veins can shake your confidence in your appearance. Fortunately, sclerotherapy is an effective treatment. See why sclerotherapy in winter months is an even better idea.