There are several symptoms that are associated with PAD, one of those being changes in the skin on your legs. But how do you know what to look for?

With PAD, the legs already have poor circulation, so skin changes are simply evidence of that poor circulation. In the beginning, the compromised circulation can cause the skin to become leathery, itchy, red skin is common. Additional problems can occur as well, such as sores and ulcers.

In the early stages of PAD, toenail growth may slow down significantly, and your skin may become more dry and itchy. This is when you may notice that your skin feels cool to the touch. As progression occurs, leg hair may stop growing completely, your skin may become thicker, shinier, and have a red or purple tint, and they may swell more often. After an increase in swelling, wounds may appear, and not completely heal, leading to those open ulcerations. 

If you’ve noticed any or multiple of these changes in the skin on your legs, please book a consultation today. We would love to help you!

In a short answer, no. The more complicated answer? Kind-of. Totally confused? Let’s walk through this. 

PAD in itself is not a genetic disease. Studies have been conducted to see if there are specific genetic markers that can lead to PAD, but so far, nothing definite has been found. However, there are some hereditary risk factors that may lead to the development of PAD.

Risk factors for PAD include:

• Diabetes
• Tobacco Use
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Obesity
• Increasing age (after 50)

Because of poor circulation that comes along with diabetes and smoking, people with those two risk factors are at a higher risk for developing PAD. 

If you know you have a family history of any of the risk factors for developing PAD, you can take steps to help prevent it. If you smoke, quit smoking. If you’re a diabetic, monitor your blood sugar closely, and do your best to keep it under control. Exercise regularly—it doesn’t have to be intense, but get to moving if it’s okay with your doctor. Lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, and be more mindful of eating foods that are high in saturated fats. Weight control also helps to reduce the risk of PAD. 

Symptoms of PAD:

• Hip or leg cramps after walking or climbing stairs
• Leg numbness or weakness
• A cold feeling in a lower leg or foot, more so than in the other foot
• Sores that won’t heal
• A change in the color of your legs
• Hair loss/slower hair growth on your legs
• Slower growth of your toenails
• Shiny skin on your legs
• No pulse/weak pulse in your legs/feet
• In men—erectile dysfunction

If you have any or multiple symptoms of PAD, come see us. We would love to help you!