I have PAD, why do I now have a skin condition?

PAD affects blood circulation and can cause a variety of painful and unpleasant symptoms, including skin problems and alterations. The lower extremities are the most prevalent site of PAD symptoms.

If you have skin problems as a result of PAD, you should see a vascular expert. Non-surgical therapy is fortunately available to assist relieve symptoms and avoid further health concerns. PAD may have a variety of effects on your skin. Some people may experience discoloration on their legs, while others may report glossy skin or poor leg hair development. Atherosclerotic ulcers (open, non-healing sores) can form in extreme situations, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

Patients with PAD frequently experience skin problems. Their prevalence was assessed to be 35.7 percent in a 2019 research. Claudication is the most frequent PAD symptom, which is muscular discomfort or weakness that occurs with physical activity, such as walking, and disappears within minutes of resting.

As previously stated, you may suffer a variety of skin changes as a result of PAD. Here are a few examples:

Discoloration of the skin

Leg hair growth is poor.

Legs that sparkle

Skin that is dry or scaly

Erythema is a kind of erythema (a rash caused by damaged blood capillaries)

Ulcers in the arteries

Infection of the skin

Death of a tissue

Please contact your vascular expert as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms. They'll be able to tell if your skin changes are caused by PAD or anything else. If your doctor finds that PAD is the root reason, therapy will most likely be recommended.

We all know that PAD causes skin changes, but why does it happen? Atherosclerosis, or the narrowing or blocking of arteries due to plaque buildup, is the cause of PAD. Fats, cholesterol, cellular waste materials, and fibrin make up this form of plaque.

When PAD restricts blood supply to the lower limbs, even basic tasks such as walking and exercising become difficult. PAD raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, arterial ulcers, and potentially limb amputation, but a vascular expert can diagnose PAD and treat it to lower your risk and relieve symptoms.

Skin problems associated with peripheral artery disease should always be examined by a vascular expert. PAD is a progressive disease, which means that the symptoms worsen over time.

If you've been diagnosed with PAD, the experts at USA Vascular Centers will devise a treatment strategy to relieve your discomfort and restore blood flow to the afflicted areas. The following are some of the advantages:

Symptoms are lessened

Taking steps to mitigate extra health risks

Increasing the quality of your life

One or more of the therapies listed below may be included in your customized plan:

Adjustments in your lifestyle: You may need to make certain lifestyle changes to improve your symptoms. Individuals with PAD should typically maintain a healthy BMI, exercise regularly, consume a well-balanced diet, quit smoking, and treat other underlying health issues. If you need assistance reaching these objectives, talk to your doctor about where you may get help.

Medicines: To increase blood flow throughout your body, your vascular expert may prescribe medications. Make sure you're taking your meds exactly as directed.

Medical procedures: To open the arteries and restore blood flow, a minimally invasive treatment may be necessary in some situations. To treat your PAD, we may prescribe angioplasty, stent insertion, or atherectomy.

We specialize in non-surgical, outpatient PAD therapy at USA Vascular Centers. Our procedures do not need general anesthetic, hospitalization, or a significant recovery period.

You will only need to be with us for around two hours from start to finish if a treatment procedure is advised for you. You may then recuperate in the privacy of your own home.

We are just a call or click away. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with PeachState Advanced Cardiac & Endovascular. We have several locations in Georgia: Newnan, Atlanta, & Griffin.

Author

Kelly Miles Current Director of Business Development & Operations at PeachState Advanced Cardiac & Endovascular- PACE. Kelly has a passion for helping others navigate the healthcare industry and ensuring quality outcomes. She lives in Newnan, GA with her husband and children.