(866) 552-4866 Wayne* would love to make the most of what's left of the summer by going to the lake with family, hiking at a nearby park with friends, or hanging out at a few local restaurants and shopping areas. The problem is that his legs seem to have an ongoing itchy feeling. And not because of an allergic reaction, bug bite, or even eczema. To be honest, he is not even sure what the true cause might be. All he knows is that his itchy legs bother him when he first wakes up in the morning and they irritate him at night too.
As much as we would all love to believe we are immune to various health concerns, the reality is that our bodies have a way of reminding us otherwise. Sometimes those reminders take the form of obvious symptoms. Other times, they are seemingly unexplainable. Itchy legs are a perfect example, and believe it or not, the cause is often something no one expects: circulation problems stemming from underlying vein disease that is just now starting to draw attention.
Our team of vascular surgeons at StrideCare are experts at diagnosing and treating vascular conditions that may have been flying under the radar this whole time.
Do Any of These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
- Unexplained itchiness on one or both legs
- Noticeable spider veins and varicose veins
- Redness, swelling, and visibly irritated skin
- Sores and bumps from excessive scratching
- Heaviness and throbbing in the affected area
- Burning sensation
Are itchy legs disrupting your life? They could be a vascular-related issue. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to learn how advanced treatments can help.
Why Are My Legs So Itchy?
There are many reasons your legs are chronically itching, from sensitivity to detergents and soaps to an existing allergy, bug bite, or environmental factor. But when none of those scenarios are at play, it's time to start looking beneath the surface at a far more serious condition. More than 20 million Americans suffer from vein disease, a condition where the intricate network of veins and arteries running throughout our bodies no longer works the way it should. For instance, rather than our veins pushing blood to our heart, they become blocked, clogged, narrowed, or simply aren't as strong as they used to be. As a result, blood tends to flow backward, eventually causing those same veins to bulge and enlarge.
What's left are circulation problems. There is a list of symptoms that naturally come from circulation problems, including but not limited to spider veins, varicose veins, heavy and painful legs, and even restless legs. Itchy legs are another symptom, albeit one that most people don't automatically attribute to vein disease.
But Why the Itchiness?
Since the valves in your veins may be damaged, and the blood flow in your body is not being regulated the way it should, your body's inflammatory response kicks in. This can be a good thing, but under the wrong circumstances (such as blood flow issues), oxygen is prevented from reaching the skin—thus causing itchiness.
The medical term for itchy skin is pruritus, and it is one of the earliest warning signs of an underlying circulatory problem. A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that 45.9% of participants with chronic venous disease reported itching in the legs or feet. Researchers also found that itching increased with greater venous disease severity. In another study, 66% of patients with mild-to-moderate chronic venous insufficiency reported itching.
Chronic venous insufficiency is widely considered a more advanced stage of vein disease. That said, many patients notice itchy legs in conjunction with a more cosmetic annoyance called spider veins, so much so that the itchiness feels like it is coming directly from these thin, thread-like red lines along your legs. It is estimated that 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men have spider veins. They can become more visible over time and appear on your legs, feet, cheeks, and even nose
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that 45.9% of participants with chronic venous disease reported itching in the legs or feet. Researchers also found that itching increased with greater venous disease severity. In another study, 66% of patients with mild-to-moderate chronic venous insufficiency reported itching.
How Vascular Specialists Can Help With Itchy Legs
If you believe your itchy legs are vein-related, seeking an expert opinion is one of the smartest things you can do to take charge of your current situation and your ongoing and future health. A quick, minimally invasive test can help your vascular doctor assess the severity of your condition and recommend a treatment plan that fits your needs. Your doctor may suggest any of the following minimally invasive treatments:
- Radiofrequency Ablation — Under ultrasound guidance, a thin catheter is inserted into the diseased vein and guided up into the great saphenous vein in the thigh or the small saphenous vein in the calf. The radiofrequency energy is delivered into the vein, cutting off blood flow and relieving symptoms.
- Sclerotherapy — Specialists inject a small amount of a specially formulated chemical solution full of sclerosing agents into the affected veins to reduce pain and discomfort caused by the enlargement or swelling of the veins. This solution irritates the vein walls, causing the vein to collapse and disappear.
- Varithena Microfoam Ablation — With this procedure, your specialist injects a special microfoam into your affected veins to relieve symptoms without the use of heat or tumescent. The foam fills the desired section of the vein, and the diseased vein collapses. Blood flow then shifts to healthier veins nearby.
- VenaSeal — This minimally invasive procedure treats venous insufficiency, particularly varicose veins. Unlike traditional methods, VenaSeal™ does not rely on heat to seal the veins. Rather, a medical-grade adhesive is used to close them. This innovative approach is less invasive and more comfortable.
Featured in this video is Katherine T, a StrideCare patient. Katherine underwent a VenaSeal procedure. After the procedure, Katherine experienced immediate relief and improved her quality of life.
You do not have to have let itchy legs impact your life. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today. Our collaborative approach to spider veins treatment ensures that you receive the care you need.
In addition to minimally invasive procedures, all of which address the underlying cause and ultimately free you from itchy legs, there are steps patients can take to improve your vein disease symptoms:
- Get more exercise
- Avoid sedentary lifestyles as much as possible
- Don't sit or stand for too long
- Eat healthy foods
- Wear compression socks
- Elevate your legs
- Avoid tight clothing
- Quit smoking
Got Itchy Legs from Vein Issues? StrideCare Can Help
Itchy legs might otherwise be passed off as an allergic reaction or bug bite. But when the cause is unknown, and the itchiness persists longer than it should, it is time to consider the possibility of an underlying vein disease. Vein disease is extremely common, affecting one out of every three Americans, and it worsens the longer it's left untreated. This could lead to a host of symptoms you might easily overlook—such as itchy legs.
StrideCare's mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives. Our doctors stay on the cutting edge of medicine, helping patients avoid traditionally long, invasive surgeries used in the past to treat vascular disease. The experts at StrideCare will recommend a personalized plan to help you achieve the best results. They diagnose and treat using innovative, minimally invasive procedures with little to no pain, short recovery times and high success rates.
Our vascular specialists and caring staff utilize the latest technologies and treatments to help our patients reclaim their lives. At StrideCare, we are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care. Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation.
Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare Vascular serves South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia communities: Charleston, Orangeburg, Mount Pleasant, Murrells Inlet, Summerville, Walterboro, West Ashley, Addison, Allen, Anna, Arlington, Austin, Carrollton, Celina, Clear Lake, Craig Ranch, Dallas, Euless, Flower Mound, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Katy, Kaufman, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, including Midland, North Dallas, Odessa, Paris, Pecos, Plano, Prosper, Rockwall, Round Rock, Rowlett, Royce City, San Antonio, Sherman, South Dallas, Southlake, Stone Oak, Sugar Land, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Waxahachie, Webster, Petersburg, Tappahannock, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Henrico, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.