If you’ve noticed that the skin on your ankles is becoming darker or discolored, it’s normal to wonder why. Ankle discoloration typically develops as a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin in your blood that develops when you have venous disease. When hemoglobin breaks down, it leaves behind deposits of a pigment called hemosiderin.
Our team of experts at Vascular Specialists routinely treat ankle discoloration in our Munster, Indiana, or Tinley Park, Illinois, locations, so if you spot a concern, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s a closer look at some of the reasons why your ankles are becoming discolored and what you can do about it.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in your legs can’t pump blood back to your heart efficiently. This condition can lead to blood pooling in your lower extremities, which then causes swelling and discoloration around your ankles.
Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to your limbs become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup. This can reduce blood flow to your legs and feet and lead to discoloration in your ankles and feet.
You might suspect that your ankle discoloration is related to PAD if you also notice cramping, cold extremities, and slow-to-heal wounds.
Peripheral artery angioplasty can help remove the blockages and improve blood flow in your lower limbs.
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in your leg. If the clot obstructs blood flow, it can cause swelling, warmth, and discoloration in the affected area, including your ankles.
DVT requires immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications like pulmonary embolism. Treatment often includes blood thinners or other medications to dissolve the clot and prevent new ones from forming.
Venous stasis dermatitis is a skin condition that occurs when there's chronic poor blood flow in your veins. It may cause reddish discoloration on lighter skin tones and grayish discoloration on darker skin tones.
Symptoms of venous stasis dermatitis include itching, redness, and thickened skin. Without treatment, venous stasis dermatitis can lead to ulcers.
In addition to vascular conditions, acute injuries can also lead to discoloration around your ankles. Sprained ankles, for example, can cause swelling, bruising, and intense pain.
This type of discoloration tends to improve as your sprain or fracture heals.
If you're experiencing ankle discoloration, there are many things you can do to address your potential vascular issues. This includes:
While those tips can help keep venous issues from getting worse, you may need to help to address acute venous issues, and that’s where our Vein Care Institute comes into the picture.
Depending on the root cause of your ankle discoloration, you may benefit from sclerotherapy or venous ablation for spider veins, wound care and medication for venous ulcers, or a minimally invasive procedure to remove blockages.
The bottom line: Skin changes on your ankles are more than just a cosmetic concern, and our team is here to help you get to the bottom of it. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 815-824-4406 or use our online booking tool to get started.
