HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Varicose eczema
Mate harehare ā-waewae
Varicose eczema is the term used to describe the changes to your skin caused by venous insufficiency. It's also called venous eczema. It's a long-term condition that affects your lower legs.
Symptoms of varicose eczema include pain, itching, changes to your skin colour and swelling. The skin on your legs can get red, dry and itchy, and possibly scaly, crusty or weeping.
Treating varicose eczema
Treatment options usually include moisturisers, medication and reducing the swelling. You should also take care to avoid injuring your skin.
Your general practice team or district nurse might be involved in your treatment. If in doubt, ask them to look at your varicose eczema, especially if you think your skin could be infected or if you have an ulcer or break in your skin.
You might also need treating for varicose veins.
Using moisturisers and medication
This includes:
- moisturising creams (emollients) to stop your skin getting dry and as a soap substitute
- steroid creams to treat your eczema and help relieve symptoms
- antibiotics if you have a skin infection.
Reducing the swelling
To reduce the swelling, you need to:
- keep active
- avoid standing for long periods
- raise your legs when sitting or lying.
Your doctor or nurse may also advise you to wear compression stockings to help the blood flow in your legs and reduce the swelling.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- DermNet NZ – Venous eczema
Information about venous eczema (varicose eczema), including who gets it, what causes it and how it's treated.
- Patient.info – Varicose eczema
Information about varicose eczema, including the causes, symptoms and treatment.
- British Association of Dermatologists – Venous eczema
Questions and answers about varicose eczema.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIBLV-403653
