Red patch on your lower leg?

By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care

When we see a patch of red on our lower leg it’s natural to blame a rash or a bug bite. If it doesn’t go away, we may visit the doctor and be diagnosed with cellulitis—a skin infection—and put on antibiotics.

But red patches and other skin discolorations are often the result of something going on beneath the skin: inflammation related to venous insufficiency.

This condition is called lipodermatosclerosis and it usually appears as a red patch on the lower leg above the ankle. You may experience it constantly or after standing for long periods, cooking, walking at the county fair, etc.

The condition is the result of poor circulation in the legs (typically due to varicose veins, whether visible or not), which leads to the build-up of toxins. Our veins are responsible for “taking out the trash”—including metabolic waste—and that doesn’t happen efficiently when our venous health is compromised. The resulting inflammation eventually spreads beyond the veins to the skin to create the tell-tale red patches often accompanied by leg swelling.

Left untreated, lipodermatosclerosis can lead to permanent skin discoloration, venous ulcers, poor wound healing, and more. If you’re experiencing changes in the skin color of your legs, or any of the following symptoms, it’s a good idea to get checked out now, especially if you have a family history of varicose veins or blood clots:

• leg pain
• swelling
• fatigue
• itching
• burning
• inflammation
• leg cramps
• restless legs syndrome

Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, located at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More info can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.