Common leg problems and their possible solutions
Common leg problems and their possible solutions
Are you suffering from thread veins or varicose veins? Are restless legs keeping you awake at night? Is cellulite or dry skin making you feel self-conscious about how your legs look?
This month, we’re bringing you a bumper blog about common leg problems and their possible solutions.
Are you suffering from thread veins or varicose veins? Are restless legs keeping you awake at night? Is cellulite or dry skin making you feel self-conscious about how your legs look?
Read on for more info about the causes of these common problems, what you can do to prevent them and what to do about treating them.
Thread veins
What are thread veins?
Thread veins (sometimes known as ‘spider veins’ and medically referred to as ‘telangiectasia’) are small but dilated or broken veins visible just under the skin’s surface. They get the name ‘spider veins’ because they typically spread out like a spider’s web, although they can be straight, single veins too.
If you have thread veins, you may find that they vary in colour from pink and red to blue or purple. The appearance is influenced by the size of the thread veins, the blood flow within them and how far below your skin they’re located.
Although spider veins are small, they can occur in clusters, which can look a bit like a bruise on your skin.
Thread veins rarely cause any symptoms but if they do, symptoms are likely to include burning, cramps and itching and may be a sign of any underlying venous disorder (i.e., a condition that damages your veins).
What causes thread veins?
Approximately 84% of people experience thread veins at some points in their lives, usually on their legs, although they can appear on the face too. Thread veins or varicose veins (more about these below) are caused by pressure in the vessels that return blood from the feet and legs back up to the heart. The one-way valves in the veins weaken, causing blood and pressure to build up so that the vein bulges.
There does seem to be a strong genetic factor to whether or not a person develops thread veins - evidence shows that 90% of people with spider veins have a family history of this problem.
Other causes tend to be due to hormone changes (pregnancy, oestrogen treatment, menopause), topical steroid use, local trauma to your skin or being on your feet a lot.
Can you prevent thread veins?
It’s not always possible to prevent thread veins. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can help to improve your circulation, which may stop thread veins from occurring.
You should also avoid smoking or drinking alcohol to excess, both of which can contribute to thread veins on your face. If you spend a lot of time at a desk or are sedentary for much of the day, we recommend getting up and moving around as regularly as possible.
Can you treat thread veins?
Even though thread veins are usually harmless and pain-free, you may want to get rid of them because you dislike how they look or to prevent pain before it occurs.
Although various laser treatments can be used to breakdown thread veins and minimise their appearance, the most common treatment is sclerotherapy.
With this treatment, we inject a salt (sclerosing) solution into the thread veins. This solution irritates the walls of vein, causing them to stick together. Over a period of several weeks, the treated veins collapse and are absorbed by your body’s healing processes, while blood reroutes to healthy nearby veins.
It usually takes spider veins about three to six weeks to disappear with sclerotherapy, and you may need several treatments four to six weeks apart to achieve the best results.
Varicose veins
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are twisted, swollen and enlarged veins that are most likely to appear on your legs and feet. They tend to be larger than thread veins and can make the skin bulge.
Unfortunately, varicose veins are progressive, which means they tend to get more problematic if they’re left untreated. They are also more likely to cause discomfort, swelling, cramps, heaviness, swelling, throbbing and itchiness than thread veins, although they can be asymptomatic in some people. In more severe cases, they can damage nearby skin, eventually leading to skin ulcers.
If you have varicose veins, you might find that any symptoms get worse in the summer or if you’re on your feet for a long time.
What causes thread veins?
As with thread veins, varicose veins occur when the small valves inside the vein stop working properly, and blood starts to collect in the vein as a result instead of flowing through it.
It’s estimated that a third of adults will develop varicose veins at some point in their lives, so they are common. Women are twice as likely as men to develop varicose veins, which research suggests is due to female hormones relaxing the walls of the veins and making them more prone to weakening.
Other factors for developing varicose veins include pregnancy (due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow), genetics, age, being overweight and/or having a job that involves long periods of standing.
Can you prevent varicose veins?
It may not be possible to prevent all varicose veins from occurring. However, it’s always sensible to improve your blood flow and muscle tone as much as possible to help your veins stay strong and healthy.
The following preventative measures can also help to address any discomfort caused by varicose veins, so are steps we should all take (varicose veins or not):
· Avoid wearing high heels and tight hosiery
· Change your sitting or standing position regularly
· Eat a healthy diet
· Exercise regularly
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Raise your legs when sitting or laying down
Can you treat varicose veins?
There are a number of different treatment options for varicose veins, depending on their size and the symptoms they may be causing. These options include compression stockings, various laser therapies, surgery and more.
As with thread veins, sclerotherapy can be an effective treatment option in some cases, especially for smaller varicose veins.
Cellulite
What is cellulite?
Cellulite looks like bumpy, dimpled skin and is usually found on the thighs, bum, hips and abdomen, although it can affect the breasts and upper arms too. People often describe it as having an orange peel or cottage cheese texture.
Cellulite isn’t harmful but you may dislike how it makes your skin look and feel, which is why most people seek a treatment.
What causes cellulite?
Under the skin, we each have a series of fibrous connective cords (septae) that tether the skin to the underlying muscle. They also partition small pockets of subcutaneous fat. In women, these cords are arranged vertically with relatively large spaces between them, whereas, in men, they follow a tight criss-cross pattern.
Cellulite occurs when fat cells accumulate and push up between the partitions, which continue to pull downwards. Another factor is impaired lymphatic drainage.
A New York-based plastic surgeon, Dr Gregory LaTrenta, uses the analogy of an ice cube tray. In this analogy “Fat under the skin’s layers are the ice cubes and the septae are the dividers in the tray. When fat builds up in the lower legs — as happens with age, pregnancy, and weight gain — you’re more likely to see cellulite. It’s as if the water in the ice cube tray fills and covers the tops of the dividers, or septae.”
As the female body contains more subcutaneous fat and fewer septae than the male body, women are far more prone to cellulite. Indeed, it’s estimated that at least 80-90% of women experience cellulite at some point in their lives from puberty onwards. It tends to become more visible as you get older due to an increase in subcutaneous fat and because the skin gets thinner with age.
Approximately 10% of men experience cellulite during their lifetimes too.
As well as the physical structures in the body that contribute to the appearance of cellulite, it can be made worse by hormonal changes, age, genetics, diet and lifestyle (for example, it’s common in smokers or people who have a sedentary job).
The amount of cellulite you have and how noticeable it is will depend on a combination of factors such as how thick your skin is, your genes, body fat percentage, age and the underlying structures of your skin. People of all body shapes and sizes can have cellulite.
Can you prevent cellulite?
Although it isn’t possible to prevent cellulite in all cases, there are things you can do to lower the risk of it occurring or to minimise its appearance:
· Exercise regularly
· Eat a healthy diet and avoid highly processed foods (including eating fewer carbs)
· Drink more water
· Stop smoking
· Reduce your alcohol intake
· Take regular breaks to move around
Some people also find it helpful to exfoliate cellulite-prone areas of skin using coffee grounds (typically mixed with coconut oil, olive oil or sugar) or apply an apple cider vinegar and water solution to the skin every day.
If you have a light skin tone, you might find that applying a fake tan reduces the appearance of cellulite (sunbathing can leave your skin prone to sun damage).
Can you treat cellulite?
If you’re looking for a way to get rid of cellulite, you’re not alone! As a result, new products and treatment options are always emerging for this common but confidence-denting problem. Treatments range from various creams to laser therapies to liposuction.
Here at Medikaur, we offer Skinade Targeted Solutions ® Cellulite collagen drinks as one way to strengthen your skin from the inside out and improve the appearance of cellulite.
Another option is Aqualyx. This treatment uses injections containing a compound solution made with polymers and a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which is naturally present in the human body and plays a role in how we break down fats.
When injected into target fat cells, Aqualyx alters the cells’ surface tension, triggering liquid inside and around the cells to move and the fat to break down. This then drains away to be metabolised through the body’s lymphatic system and eliminated as waste.
If you feel your weight may be a contributing factor to your visible cellulite, you may find The National Medical Weight Loss Programme beneficial. This is a medically led weight loss programme that begins with a full assessment of your body composition, lifestyle and weight loss goals. As well as targeted nutrition and exercise advice, you may also be prescribed weight loss injections.
Dry skin
What is dry skin?
As the name suggests, dry skin occurs when the moisture levels in your skin have dropped. If you have dry skin, it may feel tight, itchy, rough to the touch, and discoloured. Dry skin is often flaky, looks scaly and may even crack and/or bleed.
For some people, dry skin is seasonal and most likely to occur in the cold winter months or in the heat of summer.
Our legs can be particularly vulnerable to dry skin, spending half the year wrapped up against the weather and then the other half exposed to it, especially during long, hot leg-baring summers.
Other people experience dry skin all year round and feel like it’s a constant battle to achieve a smooth, supple and well-moisturised texture.
What causes dry skin?
There are lots of factors that can cause dry skin. You may find that your skin has always been prone to dryness, in the same way that some people have oily skin. Dry skin can also be caused by more extreme temperatures and weather conditions. You may find that having the central heating on at home dries out your skin, as does having baths or showers that are too hot.
Age is a factor too or you may have dry skin because you’re dehydrated. Some skin conditions (e.g., eczema or psoriasis) can cause dry, flaking skin, as can some skincare products.
Can you prevent dry skin?
There are ways to prevent or improve dry skin, depending on its severity. You could try the following:
· Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
· Spend less time in the bath or shower and lower the temperature of the water
· Moisturise your skin twice a day
· Avoid being in areas with low humidity – you could use a humidifier at home
· Avoid too much sun exposure
· Eat foods that have a high-water content
· Wear clothes made from natural fibres
Can you treat dry skin?
If you’ve tried all of the above and your skin is still dry, or you have a skin condition that feels flaky and uncomfortable then you may need further support from a GP or dermatologist.
Here at Medikaur, we offer a number of treatments that can reduce dryness and boost your skin health. These include:
· Nu Skin’s ageLOC Galvanic Spa treatment and LumiSpa skincare system – ideal for helping your skin to look and feel smoother, refreshed and hydrated
· Skinade collagen drinks – improve your skin’s hydration and overall health
· IV Nutrition Therapy – give your skin a boost of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water to feel good from head to toe
Restless legs
What are restless legs?
Do you ever experience an overwhelming urge to move your legs, especially when you’re in bed or you’ve been sitting for long periods of time? This urge may be accompanied by an unpleasant crawling sensation in your feet, calves and thighs.
People sometimes experience itching, pulling, crawling, tugging, throbbing, burning, or gnawing with the urge to move.
You may well have “Restless legs syndrome” (also known as “Willis-Ekbom disease”). Some people are affected by restless leg syndrome every day while others can go long periods between symptoms. Restless legs are most common at night and can affect your arms too.
Restless legs syndrome is also associated with involuntary jerking of the legs and arms, known as periodic limb movements (PLM).
What causes restless legs?
There are lots of factors that can cause restless legs syndrome and it can affect people of any age, including children. Restless legs are more common in women, and it’s estimated to affect approximately 5-10% of the adult population.
Up to 92% of people with restless leg syndrome have a family member who experiences the same symptoms showing that there’s a strong genetic factor. In these cases, restless leg symptoms are likely to come on earlier in life (before the age of 45).
Restless legs syndrome can also be caused by pregnancy, an iron deficiency, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, fibromyalgia, depression and many other conditions. It’s a known side effect too of certain antidepressants, allergy drugs or ani-nausea medications.
Can you prevent restless legs?
If you’ve experienced a mild case of restless legs syndrome and you’d like to try to prevent it happening again, you may find all you need to do is embrace a few gentle lifestyle changes such as:
· Quitting smoking
· Exercising regularly during the daytime
· Developing a relaxing bedtime routine
· Sleeping regular hours
· Avoiding alcohol and caffeine late at night
Can you treat restless legs syndrome?
Mild cases of restless legs syndrome that are not linked to an underlying health condition can often be well managed with some of the lifestyle changes listed in the answer above.
You may want to talk to your GP about your symptoms, especially if they’re more severe, as they may decide to prescribe iron supplements for anaemia or medication to regulate the dopamine levels in your body.
Severe cases of restless legs syndrome can significantly disrupt your sleep, causing insomnia and leading to problems such as anxiety and depression. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, you can find more support and information at Restless Legs Syndrome UK.
If you are experiencing any of the issues above and would like to talk about your treatment options, you can book a consultation here.