Who Is at Risk for Venous Ulcers?

Venous ulcers are a serious complication of venous insufficiency. If you have vascular disease, a specialist in Houston may caution you to watch out for open sores on your legs, ankles, or feet that refuse to heal properly. Before these wounds develop, you may notice other signs of venous insufficiency such as itching, swelling, pain, or a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities. These symptoms warrant a trip to a vein specialist right away because they may mean that you’re at risk of venous ulcers.

Other medical conditions may increase your risk of developing venous ulcers include obesity and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a potentially dangerous condition in which blood clots develop in the deep veins of the body, typically the legs. Certain lifestyle issues can also place a person at an increased risk of venous ulcers. If you smoke, for instance, your blood circulation is already inhibited even if you haven’t yet been diagnosed with venous insufficiency. Failure to get regular exercise and doing work that requires prolonged periods of standing are other possible risk factors.