My Legs Constantly Itch — Should I Be Worried?

Constantly itchy legs are seriously annoying. Unfortunately, there could be more to it than simply keeping you up at night — it might be a sign of venous insufficiency.

Venous insufficiency isn’t life-threatening. However, it’s associated with discomfort like itchy legs, aching legs, and varicose veins. Understanding the causes and available treatment options can help you find relief, and our team at Vascular & Interventional Specialists is ready to help.

Venous insufficiency: a common cause of itchy legs

Venous insufficiency develops when the veins in your legs have trouble sending blood back to your heart. While healthy veins effectively push blood up from your legs to your heart, venous insufficiency often leads to blood pooling in your legs.

This condition can cause various symptoms, including persistent itchiness, swelling, and varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that can be seen just under the surface of the skin and are a clear sign of poor blood flow.

Pooling blood increases pressure inside your veins, which forces fluid and proteins to leak into surrounding tissues. This leakage can cause inflammation and irritation, and your body's natural inflammatory response triggers the release of chemicals like histamines, which contribute to the sensation of itching.

The symptoms of venous insufficiency and varicose veins

Along with persistent itching, other symptoms of venous insufficiency include:

• Swelling in your lower legs and ankles
• Aching or throbbing pain in your legs
• A feeling of heaviness or fatigue in your legs
• Skin changes, including discoloration or ulcers
• Visible varicose veins

If you're experiencing constant itchy legs or any of these symptoms, make an appointment with us. Our team has the expertise to assess your condition and recommend treatment to relieve your symptoms.

Treatment options to stop the itch

You don’t have to live with persistent itchy skin. You have several treatment options for venous insufficiency, and early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

For mild cases, we might recommend lifestyle changes, like exercising regularly, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting. Wearing compression stockings can also help improve blood flow and reduce your symptoms.

For more advanced cases, we offer minimally invasive treatments. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the varicose veins, making them collapse and eventually fade away.

ClosureFast™ uses radiofrequency energy to heat and close the affected veins. We perform this procedure using a catheter inserted into your vein. The VenaSeal™ method works in a similar way but uses glue to collapse and close the impacted veins.

For larger varicose veins, we may recommend ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure involves making small incisions to remove the problematic veins. It requires only local anesthesia and offers a good cosmetic outcome with a relatively short recovery period.

By addressing the underlying cause of your itchy legs, you can find relief and avoid the potential complications associated with venous insufficiency and varicose veins. 

Don’t ignore the symptoms — taking action helps your legs stay healthy and comfortable.

Learn more about your options with a consultation at Vascular & Interventional Specialists in Miami, Florida. Call us at 305-230-4664 or request an appointment online now.