VARICOSE ECZEMA

Signs and symptoms

• the affected skin becomes:
  • itchy
  • red and swollen
  • dry and flaky
  • scaly or crusty

• Your legs may become swollen, especially towards the end of the day or after long periods of standing.
• Visible varicose veins

Some people also have other symptoms, such as:

• brown discolouration of the skin
• red, tender and tight skin that can eventually become hardened (lipodermatosclerosis)
• small, white scars (atrophie blanche)
• pain
• eczema affecting other parts of the body

DIAGNOSIS

• History and Physical Examination
  • The doctor can usually make a diagnosis by simply looking at the affected areas.
  • History of:
    • Varicose veins
    • Deep vein thrombosis- a blood clot in one of the deep veins of your legs
    • Leg ulcers- damaged skin that take several weeks to heal
    • Cellulitis- infection of the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissue surgery or injury to your legs

• ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI)- involves comparing blood pressure readings taken from your ankles and upper arms

• Referral to a specialist
  • You may be referred to a specialist in a local hospital for further tests. This might be a vascular specialist (a doctor or surgeon specialising in conditions affecting the blood vessels) or a dermatologist (a specialist in skin conditions) if:
    • you have varicose veins and changes to your skin, such as varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis (hard, tightened skin) or a history of leg ulcers
    • you have very poor blood flow in the blood vessels in your legs
    • your symptoms don’t get better, despite treatment
    • it is possible that you may have contact dermatitis