Chronic venous insufficiency

Question 1

What are features of chronic venous insufficiency?

Answer 1

Skin changes in the gaiter area - area between top of foot and bottom of calf muscle
Haemosiderin staining
Venous eczema
Lipodermatosclerosis - champagne bottle appearance
Atrophie blanche - patches of smooth porcelain white scar tissues on the skin

Question 2

What does management involve?

Answer 2

Keeping skin healthy
Improving venous drainage to the legs - weight loss, activity, compression stockings, elevated legs

Question 3

How is skin kept healthy?

Answer 3

Regular emollients
Topical steroids to treat flares of venous eczema
Potent topical steroids for flares of lipodermatosclerosis