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What Causes Discoloration In The Right Inner Ankle In An Obese Person?
Question: Hi there,
I'm a 35 year old male. I don't smoke, do drink (mostly moderately), do take several whole-food supplements including heart healthy ones like garlic, fish oil, CocoaVia, and green trea (under my doctor's and nutritionist's supervision), and am working out several times a week and trying to eat healthy (despite still being overweight, though I have reduced some).
I recently noticed my right inner ankle (it doesn't appear as much on my left) appears to have some (albeit minor) vein fragments visible and coloring (reds/purples) that I hadn't noticed before. I'm not sure if these qualify as spider veins, or what, but I was hoping you could take a look and let me know if this is anything to worry about. Mainly:
1.) Does it indicate a circulatory problem, or is this non-serious and simply a consequence of aging and nothing to be at all concerned about?
2.) Could it be from running/walking more as I have increased that activity recently (longer duration and more intensity)?
I'm attaching a picture to help illustrate the issue.
Thanks much for your help!
I'm a 35 year old male. I don't smoke, do drink (mostly moderately), do take several whole-food supplements including heart healthy ones like garlic, fish oil, CocoaVia, and green trea (under my doctor's and nutritionist's supervision), and am working out several times a week and trying to eat healthy (despite still being overweight, though I have reduced some).
I recently noticed my right inner ankle (it doesn't appear as much on my left) appears to have some (albeit minor) vein fragments visible and coloring (reds/purples) that I hadn't noticed before. I'm not sure if these qualify as spider veins, or what, but I was hoping you could take a look and let me know if this is anything to worry about. Mainly:
1.) Does it indicate a circulatory problem, or is this non-serious and simply a consequence of aging and nothing to be at all concerned about?
2.) Could it be from running/walking more as I have increased that activity recently (longer duration and more intensity)?
I'm attaching a picture to help illustrate the issue.
Thanks much for your help!
Brief Answer:
probably nothing...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've had a look at the picture although it's not very clear. I understand that there are some tiny veins in your ankle. This is caused by a combination of the following: ageing, developing venous insufficiency, vigorous physical activity, injury, thrombosis, unknown causes. I can't say which of the above plays the big part in your case but since you had no symptoms, the most likely cause is just ageing and perhaps a pretty mild venous insufficiency.
Symptoms and signs that may raise suspicions for other causes include swelling, local warmth and pain (or discomfort).
The veins you've shown to me are not "spider veins". The spider nevi (which is the right name of "spider veins") are very characteristic. Their branches have a tree-like distribution. They blanch when squeezed and their color returns instantly as soon as the pressure on them is withdrawn. In your case the color is not supposed to have these abrupt changes with pressure.
Avoiding standing for too long and sun exposure may help.
Kind Regards!
probably nothing...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've had a look at the picture although it's not very clear. I understand that there are some tiny veins in your ankle. This is caused by a combination of the following: ageing, developing venous insufficiency, vigorous physical activity, injury, thrombosis, unknown causes. I can't say which of the above plays the big part in your case but since you had no symptoms, the most likely cause is just ageing and perhaps a pretty mild venous insufficiency.
Symptoms and signs that may raise suspicions for other causes include swelling, local warmth and pain (or discomfort).
The veins you've shown to me are not "spider veins". The spider nevi (which is the right name of "spider veins") are very characteristic. Their branches have a tree-like distribution. They blanch when squeezed and their color returns instantly as soon as the pressure on them is withdrawn. In your case the color is not supposed to have these abrupt changes with pressure.
Avoiding standing for too long and sun exposure may help.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks very much! I was just on a trip where I got a lot of sun as well as a lot of walking, so I'm hoping it is just temporary.
Good to know this is not the same as spider veins.
If this is aging/mild venous insufficiency, is this any cause for concern at all? Can this present even if my vascular system is quite healthy? And will it possibly go away with additional exercise/weight loss/etc?
Thanks!
Good to know this is not the same as spider veins.
If this is aging/mild venous insufficiency, is this any cause for concern at all? Can this present even if my vascular system is quite healthy? And will it possibly go away with additional exercise/weight loss/etc?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
venous insufficiency does not get better...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Your recent activities are probably the cause.
If you do have mild venous insufficiency then no improvement is expected. Insufficiency means dysfucntional vein valves. The valves cannot be fixed. They can only get worse.
Kind Regards!
venous insufficiency does not get better...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Your recent activities are probably the cause.
If you do have mild venous insufficiency then no improvement is expected. Insufficiency means dysfucntional vein valves. The valves cannot be fixed. They can only get worse.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just one more point of clarification...
If it's from recent activities, then does that mean it might not be venous insufficiency and from some of the other temporary causes you listed?
And even if it is, it's not a concern as far as overall heart/vascular health in the long run?
Thanks!
If it's from recent activities, then does that mean it might not be venous insufficiency and from some of the other temporary causes you listed?
And even if it is, it's not a concern as far as overall heart/vascular health in the long run?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
your heart has nothing to do with it
Detailed Answer:
You may (or may not) have venous insufficiency. You can only find out with an ultrasound scan of the vein system of your legs. Or it could be an injury perhaps caused by repetitive physical activity like the one you've described. Or no cause can be identified. I can't tell...
Even if you do have venous insufficiency the only concern is about avoiding situations that may worsen it like sun exposure, standing for too long and certain drugs. You can find out with the scan I've mentioned.
If the scan detects a normal venous function then you can be sure that nothing important is going on with your health.
Kind Regards!
your heart has nothing to do with it
Detailed Answer:
You may (or may not) have venous insufficiency. You can only find out with an ultrasound scan of the vein system of your legs. Or it could be an injury perhaps caused by repetitive physical activity like the one you've described. Or no cause can be identified. I can't tell...
Even if you do have venous insufficiency the only concern is about avoiding situations that may worsen it like sun exposure, standing for too long and certain drugs. You can find out with the scan I've mentioned.
If the scan detects a normal venous function then you can be sure that nothing important is going on with your health.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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