May 27, 2021

Itchy and Numb Legs May Be Caused By a Venous Disease

Are you suffering from persistent itchy or numb legs? Many people don't realize that they could be one of the 30,000,000 people who have vein disease.

Have you been experiencing annoying itchiness or numbness in your legs that just won’t go away?

Did you know that a common symptom of venous disease is, in fact, itchy and numb legs?

Many people don’t know that over 30,000,000 people go undiagnosed every year with vein disease, or worse, are often misdiagnosed by their general doctor.

If you are experiencing persistent itchy and numb legs that just won’t go away, then we encourage you to take this condition very seriously.

Millions of people suffer from venous disease

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Venous disease is a problem and on the rise in the United States. Estimates indicate that over 30 million people in the country are suffering from venous diseases. While only 0.015% percent of the people with this condition actually get treated for it.

Whether you are experiencing itchiness or numbness in your legs, stop and think for a second: is ignoring the issue really worth it?

Could this be the cause of your symptoms?

In this article, you will learn –

  • Top 3 reasons that cause itchiness and numbness in the legs.
  • Why may this be a sign of vein disease?
  • How can you resolve this issue?

What causes itchy veins in legs?

Your heart beats an average of 70 times a minute. In that period, a sizable volume of blood pumps through a complex network of veins, and then back up to the heart. For some, the blood vessels become damaged due to age, gravity, and pressure.

Sometimes, veins that take your blood back to the heart from the body start to protrude out from your legs in twisting motion.

Cause Of Burning Legs Infographic

If you have this condition, this is called varicose veins.

Several reasons can contribute to this:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Damaged valves in the veins and
  • Weakened blood vessel walls.

With time, the vein walls can get damaged, and the valves lose their efficiency. This can result in the blood flowing backward, causing the veins to stretch and become twisted.

These veins, however, can start to itch when there is too much-accumulated blood in these vessels, and they begin to leak.

Itchy veins in your legs may be a serious issue

While this issue starts with itching, it is most commonly a sign of significant underlying venous disease. If left untreated, the leaking of blood vessels can result in inflammatory reactions within the surrounding tissue.

Dry scaling skin and ulcers may also develop in advanced stages of vein disease.

Sometimes you don’t have any visible physical symptoms

If your legs feel itchy and there is numbness in your legs even without varicose veins, this is also a common sign of chronic venous insufficiency. Veins deep within your leg may be causing the issue, and a simple vein ultrasound can help you diagnose the problem.

What causes numbness in legs?

Other than your legs feeling itchy, if you experience numbness in the legs, it is a more serious cause for concern. People feel a little tingling or numbness in their legs from time to time. Sometimes, that tingling can feel more like pins or needles if you sat in the wrong way.

Main reasons for numbness in legs

  • Pinched Nerve
  • Herniated disk
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Venous Diseases

If there are itchy veins in your legs, which are accompanied by numbness, it is likely that you are suffering from venous diseases.

What does it look like?

You may have the typical varicose or spider vein appearance to your legs. Other times, you may have dry, scaly or swollen legs. Early on, you may also experience symptoms such as itchiness, heaviness, fatigue, burning, or achiness. In the later stages of vein disease, these symptoms will continue to get worse, and you may develop visible symptoms such as varicose veins, ulcers, or skin discoloration.

Stages Of Vein Disease

When left untreated, these blood vessels start to leak and cause the area under your skin to turn red and itchy.

  • The veins start to ache over time.
  • You can start to experience swelling.
  • The discoloration of the skin can get worse.
  • Your legs start to feel heavier.

Complications caused by itchiness and numbness in legs

If you ignore the problem, you may develop painful ulcers near the surface of your skin (where the itchy varicose veins are most prominent). These may feel little more than small hard bodies, but they will be very painful to touch. The discoloration usually precedes the development of these ulcers, thus make sure you get them checked immediately.

Risk factors

Several risk factors can lead to the development of varicose veins, which can result in your legs feeling itchy and numb:

  • Old Age: With age, the risk of developing this issue increases. Wear and tear eventually results in the valves of your veins to become less effective in regulating blood flow.
  • Sex: Women are more likely to develop this condition due to several reasons, including hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstruation, menopause and during pregnancy due to increased blood flowing through the body.
  • Obesity: Being overweight can put your veins under added pressure.
  • Standing or sitting for too long: If your body is not moving correctly for long periods, the blood isn’t able to flow as well as it should.

What can you do about itchy and numb legs?

The fact is that ignoring this issue will not make it go away.  The good news is that it is a treatable condition.  However, you need to become more proactive in your approach to dealing with it.

You should seek an evaluation from a qualified medical professional to rule out any heart-related issues.  Then, consult a medical professional who can also provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan.  Contact Vein Envy today if you have questions or concerns.

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