Causes And What To Look For
Most cases of melanoma start due to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. This radiation is one of the many electromagnetic waves given off by the sun. It is also the radiation used in tanning beds and salons to encourage pigmentation development in the skin.
Cells that produce pigment divide rapidly to spread pigmentation, leading to increased risks of melanomas.
Anyone can develop melanoma over time, but there are a handful of factors that increase the risk of developing melanoma:
- Fair, freckled skin and lighter hair tones
- Occurrence of blistering sunburns before the age of 18
- The presence of numerous moles on the body, especially if they developed before the age of 18
Once developed, melanomas appear on the body as dark, asymmetrical spots on the skin. These spots tend to be brown, black, or blue. However, they sometimes appear in red or white. A number of these colors may also be present in the same spot.
Not all of these discolorations indicate melanoma but are visible symptoms of the condition.
Melanomas also increase in size over time compared to benign moles. If a dark spot on your skin seems to grow larger over time or has an irregular border with the adjacent skin, that could be a sign of malignant melanoma.
Endovenous Ablation Treatment Options
If conservative treatments are not effective, a vein specialist may want to discuss further interventions, such as Endovenous Ablation.
Thermal Ablation
Endovenous ablation uses ultrasound technology to help guide a tiny catheter into the diseased vein. Once inserted, radio-frequency or laser energy will be directed into the unhealthy vein, causing it to shrink and collapse. Once the vein has been closed off, blood flow is naturally redirected to nearby healthy veins.
Non-thermal Ablation
Non-thermal ablation treatments utilize liquid, foam or glue sclerotherapy. You doctor will inject a small amount of a specialized chemical or glue into the diseased vein. The material will cause the vein to collapse on itself, similar to thermal ablasion treatment.
Surgical Options
In more severe cases, a vein specialist may recommend vein ligation or stripping, which requires the surgical removal of the problematic vein.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne infection 3. Despite the name, the disease is more prevalent on the East Coast of the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms may commence shortly after a tick bite, but may not appear for two weeks after exposure. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache and light sensitivity, as well as a rash of dark red or brown spots on the ankles and wrists. Within a few days, the rash spreads to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, then up the arms and legs. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne diseases can be life-threatening, so seek medical attention immediately after noticing ankle or wrist discoloration or any other unusual symptoms after experiencing a tick bite or being outdoors in tick-infested areas 3.
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Other Reasons Why Dark Spots On Ankles Happen
Venous insufficiency is one of the most common reasons why dark spots appear on the ankle. However, that isnt the only reason. The following are some other health problems and conditions that may cause a dark spot on ankles:
- Actinic Keratosis usually causes lesions that are red and scaly. At first, the lesions are bright red, but over time they darken in color.
A vein specialist can help you determine what is causing the formation of a dark spot on ankles. By conducting a complete examination and performing any necessary imaging, a vein specialist will be able to determine if the dark spots are caused by venous insufficiency or another medical problem.
If the dark spots are caused by venous insufficiency, your vein specialist can provide treatment recommendations that will help to improve your health.
Treatment For Hemosiderin Staining
The discoloration from hemosiderin staining can be permanent. If you recognize the underlying cause early and start managing the condition, the stains may fade somewhat over time. There are skin creams that can lighten dark spots, such as creams containing hydroquinone. Your doctor can prescribe that for you.
You can also try laser treatment or intense pulsed light to fade the discoloration. These are treatments for reducing the appearance of dark spots on the skin. They may fade the staining on your legs. You will need to visit a dermatologist for this type of treatment.
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Houston Specialists Treating Feet That Turn Darker
Regardless of the reason for the change, when the skin on your feet turns dramatically darker, it should be cause for more than just cosmetic concern. All of the things that change the color of the feet will need medical attention, so this is one symptom you should never dismiss or ignore.
Now, when you come in for your vein consultation, your specialist will give you treatment options. Youve got many choices when you want to treat varicose veins. But one choice, sclerotherapy, probably wont be an option. You see, sclerotherapy is mostly a cosmetic treatment.
Of course, this is a great option if all you want is younger looking legs. Its very effective when youre dealing with spider veins, but not when you have varicose veins. And, if your feet turn darker, your disease is likely more serious. So youll need greater interventions to improve your health, and your leg and foot appearance.
Ready to make a big step towards reversing the skin damage of varicose veins? Come into our office right away. Well conduct a thorough examination and figure out your next best course of action.
Detection Diagnosis And Prevention
Diagnosis of melanoma requires a foot and ankle surgeon to question the patient about the spot’s history. They will also physically examine the spot and take a sample of the area for a biopsy. Once the surgeon performs the biopsy, the lab will need time to identify the cells pulled from the affected region.
The presence of cancerous cells in the biopsy would lead to a melanoma diagnosis.
For those looking to prevent these cancers or detect them early, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Wear water shoes or socks when at the beach
- Use adequate protection from the sun, including sun block, shade, and sun-resistant clothing
- Remove nail polish occasionally to inspect the nails for dark spots
- Inspect all areas of the foot and ankle, including between the toes and underneath the foot
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Treatment For Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Since the hemosiderin staining is a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency, you will also need to address that issue. Taking care of the vein condition will help make sure the skin discoloration and related symptoms donât get worse.
To manage it, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to improve circulation in your legs. This will prevent more blood from pooling in your feet and ankles. Some tactics that can help include:
- Avoid long periods of standing or sitting, and make sure to change positions or move your legs periodically if you must do these activities for a long time.
- Get regular exercise, even just walking.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Elevate your legs when you sit or lie down.
- Wear compression stockings.
If your doctor is concerned about possible blood clots or wounds on your skin, they will suggest treatment for those issues. Medications, wound care, or vein surgery may be needed.â
Hemosiderin staining is something to be checked out since itâs related to the blood flow in your body. Taking steps to improve your circulation will help your overall health. Reducing the effects of chronic venous insufficiency will not only help the appearance of the skin, but it will reduce the chances of other complications. Talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
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Complications Of Varicose Veins #: Darkening Of The Skin Around The Ankles
Untreated varicose veins and underlying venous insufficiency can cause changes in the skin, including darkening of the skin. We call this skin hyperpigmentation. This usually occurs in the inner ankle and can worsen to involve the lower portion of the leg as shown in the picture. Over time, the skin becomes firm, dry, eczema-like, and can even break open, causing a venous leg ulcer. When the skin becomes darker as a result of a vein problem, this is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency . This can be prevented by addressing the underlying venous insufficiency and varicose veins early on.
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How To Get Rid Of Dark Ankles With Home Remedies
Natural remedies are safe and effective towards ailments.
But, in case of serious medical conditions, you must initially consult a physician, because topical application of these ingredients will not treat the ailment from inside.
Below mentioned are different recipes to get rid of dark thick skin on the ankle bone.
#1. Lemon Juice
Bleaching ability residing in this citrus fruit is prominent. Filled with essential vitamins and minerals, topical application of lemon juice will lighten your dark ankles.
- Wash ankles with water and pat dry.
- Squeeze fresh lemon and collects its juice in a bowl.
- Using a cotton ball apply the juice on dark ankles.
- Allow it to dry naturally.
Repeat the process twice in a week.
#2. Aloe Vera Gel
Renowned for its healing and sticky nature, aloe vera gel also exhibits skin whitening abilities.
Aloe gel consists of 150 nutritional components including minerals, lignins, salicylic acids, and enzymes.
- Extract fresh aloe gel from your garden or borrow from a neighbor.
- Apply a tablespoon of aloe vera paste on your affected skin.
- Allow it to dry for few hours.
Hydrating property housed in this ingredient will soften your thick skin on the ankle bone.
#3. Castor Oil for Dark Ankles
Omega-3 fatty acids residing in castor oil penetrates into deeper layers of the skin and improves blood circulation.
Vitamin E residing in this folk remedy can lighten the appearance of discolored ankles and increase cell regeneration.
#4. Coconut Oil
#5. Potato Juice
#6. Cucumber
Most Effective Home Remedies For Dark Ankles You Must Know About
No matter how beautifully you groom yourself, dark ankles can ruin your look completely. As the skin around the ankles is thinner than the rest of the body, it tends to become, dry, thick, and dark sometimes. This is not only embarrassing but also quite frustrating. While a solid skincare plan is enough to reverse the condition in most people, you may need to choose effective home remedies at times in order to get rid of it. In this post, we are going to talk about 15 most effective home remedies for dark ankles. Also, know about the factors that can trigger dark ankles and some other useful ways to treat it rightly.
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Swelling & Skin Discoloration Of The Leg & Ankle: A Race Against Time
Evan Harris, MD, DVIR, DABVLM, RPVI, is a Diplomate American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and certified by the American Board of Radiology with qualifications in Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology. He is the lead physician at the Glastonbury, CT, and Cromwell, CT locations of Center for Vein Restoration.
As a vein physician, nothing pains me more than to see a patient who has waited months, sometimes years, to seek the advice of a vein doctor about ankle and leg swelling and/or discoloration. The consequences of not properly treating the root cause of these symptoms, which is vein disease, are heartbreaking.
The Progression Of Vein Disease
Vein disease occurs in a number of stages, starting with damage that leads to poor blood circulation. Your heart pumps out oxygenated blood thats carried by arteries to your bodys tissues, delivering both oxygen and nutrients to keep them healthy. Once the oxygen is delivered, the deoxygenated blood has to return to the heart, and it does so through the network of veins. The blood, though, literally has an uphill battle it has to flow against the pull of gravity.
Your body handles the problem in two separate ways. First, your calf and thigh muscles contract, forcing the blood forward and upward. Second, the veins contain valves that limit the blood to one-way flow. Unfortunately, the vein walls can sustain damage from things like high blood pressure or injury, which, in turn, can damage the valves. If this happens, blood flow becomes sluggish, and blood pools around the damaged valves. This is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency .
If you dont treat varicose veins, DVT, or the underlying insufficiency, vein disease progresses to painful leg swelling and intense itching from fluid leaking into the surrounding tissues. Edema then progresses to venous stasis dermatitis, which causes discoloration and other changes in appearance of the skin on your legs.
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What Is Reddish Brown Staining
Reddish brown staining on our lower legs is often caused by problems with the veins on our lower legs. This can happen when we have high pressure in the veins in the legs. This is known as venous hypertension / insufficiency. This happens when high pressure in our veins pushes blood into the skin tissue causing staining in the skin tissue. When skin is stained like this, it is very fragile and may break down or, if knocked, fail to heal as usual.
Baking Soda And Water
Baking soda can lighten the color of your darkened skin well while cleansing it thoroughly through gentle exfoliation. Make a smooth paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. Apply it on the affected areas of your legs. Rub lightly in a circular motion and wait for 10 minutes before rinsing it away. Make sure that you repeat it every other day for visible results.
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What Is Hemosiderin Staining
Hemosiderin staining looks like a patch of skin that is a darker color than the surrounding skin. It can look like bruising, or it can be brownish or rust-colored. It may be harder to spot if you have a dark skin tone. Over time, the discoloration may become darker and look nearly black.
Hemosiderin staining usually happens on the lower leg, near the ankles, or on your feet. Itâs caused by blood leaking out of the tiny vessels called capillaries. The blood pools under the skin and leave a residue of hemoglobin that settles in the tissue there. Hemoglobin contains iron, which causes the rusty color of the stains.
Smoking And Changes In Skin Color
While internal factors can certainly contribute to changes in the color of your feet, its also important to examine problems in your own habits. Smokers especially may notice marked changes in their skin color:
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Schedule An Appointment With An Experienced Leg Vein Expert
CVR is the nations leader in providing relief from varicose veins, ulcers, wounds, and other symptoms of venous insufficiency. Because CVR offers efficient, state-of-the-art in-office treatments that address the root cause of vein disorders, patients can get in, out, and on their way to healing and the life they love.
People suffering from skin changes and swelling of the lower legs and ankles do not need to choose between missing out on the things that matter to them and seeking the comfort they deserve.
Schedule a consultation today by calling 1-800-FIX-LEGS or visitcenterforvein.com for more information.
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Treating Ankle & Lower Leg Discoloration
The key to treatment of stasis dermatitis is to treat the underlying vein disease. Modern Vein Treatments are a great option for people with these problems, mentioned Dr. Andrew Jones.
Evaluation is important to determine the cause and severity of Venous Insufficiency. Diagnostic Ultrasound is used to identify where and how badly your veins are damaged. The ultrasound examination is designed to evaluate the blood flow through your veins in your legs, localizing the problem areas.
Following the evaluation, a treatment plan is discussed, including risks and benefits.
Endovenous Ablation is the technique of harnessing technological advancements to get rid of damaged veins by performing minor surgery from within inside the vein. The results are cosmetically much better than vein stripping . These minor surgeries allow people to carry on with normal daily activities sparing just a couple of hours for the procedure.
Compression Therapy is an integral part of managing venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis, and venous obstruction. The most commonly used form of compression treatment is prescription strength graduated medical grade stockings. These come in knee high and thigh high denominations. Pantyhose are also available, but the effective part is equivalent to knee-high stockings.
Stasis dermatitis is a common problem for people that generally respond well to treatment.
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What Causes Hemosiderin Staining
Hemosiderin staining is usually a symptom of a condition in the blood vessels in your legs called chronic venous insufficiency. Veins are the vessels that carry blood back to the heart from the rest of your body. The veins in your legs have one-way valves that keep the blood from flowing backward, away from the heart. Over time, these valves can weaken, and blood doesnât flow upward the way it should. Instead, the blood pools in the vessels in your legs and feet.
Chronic venous insufficiency isnât serious on its own, but it can lead to other symptoms that are uncomfortable, painful, and make it harder to do daily activities. Symptoms include:
- Pain and fatigue in the legs
- Swelling, especially after long periods of sitting or standing still