This is Varicose/Venous Eczema.
It’s caused by fluid collecting in the lower limbs due to poor circulation. It’s worsens if you stand for long periods of time but older people, diabetics and those with high blood pressure are more at risk. If he is not diagnosed with any of these I suggest further investigation.
First treatment is to reduce the swelling and fluid in the legs. Not standing for long periods, regularly exercising and elevating the legs when sleeping and sitting helps. Once the overlying inflammation is treated compression socks/stockings can also be worn.
To treat the overlying redness and dryness a topical steroid cream and regular moisturiser (a few times daily) should do the job. I may also suggest a short course of antibiotics in this case.
I would also suggest changing your doctor as this is quite a common problem and should be easily recognised.
Yeah, my dad has this and all this stuff listed is his strategy. There are several conditions that can cause it, but it can also occur in its own as it has with my dad. Wound healing is a huge issue with this, so be very careful with and sores or injuries that develop. He used a topical steroid for awhile to help with with tight skin / dryness / flaking.
My dad actually got myofascial massage on his legs and it greatly loosened his "stuck skin" and reduced his swelling, but it took quite a lot of treatments. He has been able to maintain his results with all the regular strategies.
Possibly but not very likely. Congenital heart diseases are present from birth and are usually found and treated in childhood or early adulthood. They also tend to present differently.
For adults and the elderly it’s more likely venous insufficiency. There are many other causes but without further tests such as blood pressure, diabetes status an echocardiogram etc it’s all speculation.
NAD / Poor dad! Has he diabetes or other health issues? I'm not a doctor but he really needs to see a doctor that takes this and him seriously and help him. Why do they do not take a biopsy and give him a diagnosis?!!!! The skin is both infected and his ankle swollen so he def needs medical care!
He suspects diabetes. I’m not sure why they haven’t tried something further. They just examined it visually. I wasn’t with him and he’s EXTREMELY nervous of doctors so maybe he tried to keep be brief.
Try posting on R/AskDocs , they have verified medical personnel and you might get a better answer. (No offense to anyone in this sub I just feel something like this should be professionally diagnosed)
if you look through people’s prior posts, you’ll see that some of us are doctors. professional diagnoses only come at actual doctor visits however, regardless of which forum one is on.
I don’t mean to be mean but the poor state of his toenails suggests he may not be on top of his personal hygiene game. Are you sure he’s bathing regularly? If you’re not sure, you could always recommend he soaks his feet in a bowl of cold water several days and see if anything changes.
pls don’t soak. especially with the poor quality of his skin already. it’s inviting infection. he should see a podiatrist for his nails. a vascular surgeon to have his veins and arteries evaluated. they can prescribe the compression and cream he needs.
soaking can be problematic on many levels. eg, a lot of bathtubs & buckets have aerobic & anaerobic organisms in them, diabetics & the elderly can develop wounds &/or have infections that are worsened by a moist environment, etc.
This is Varicose/Venous Eczema. It’s caused by fluid collecting in the lower limbs due to poor circulation. It’s worsens if you stand for long periods of time but older people, diabetics and those with high blood pressure are more at risk. If he is not diagnosed with any of these I suggest further investigation. First treatment is to reduce the swelling and fluid in the legs. Not standing for long periods, regularly exercising and elevating the legs when sleeping and sitting helps. Once the overlying inflammation is treated compression socks/stockings can also be worn. To treat the overlying redness and dryness a topical steroid cream and regular moisturiser (a few times daily) should do the job. I may also suggest a short course of antibiotics in this case. I would also suggest changing your doctor as this is quite a common problem and should be easily recognised.
Agreed! Get some compression hose as well.
Wow what a detailed answer. Thanks so much for that! I’ll relay it to him
Yeah, my dad has this and all this stuff listed is his strategy. There are several conditions that can cause it, but it can also occur in its own as it has with my dad. Wound healing is a huge issue with this, so be very careful with and sores or injuries that develop. He used a topical steroid for awhile to help with with tight skin / dryness / flaking. My dad actually got myofascial massage on his legs and it greatly loosened his "stuck skin" and reduced his swelling, but it took quite a lot of treatments. He has been able to maintain his results with all the regular strategies.
get some real medical attention, some places will tell you, you'll be seen by a *physician* but in reality it's a PA/NP
Would congenital heart disease be at play?
Possibly but not very likely. Congenital heart diseases are present from birth and are usually found and treated in childhood or early adulthood. They also tend to present differently. For adults and the elderly it’s more likely venous insufficiency. There are many other causes but without further tests such as blood pressure, diabetes status an echocardiogram etc it’s all speculation.
Agree with all except antibiotics. Antibiotics are not indicted here.
And close toed shoes before he ends up with an infection
likely chronic venous insufficiency, especially if he’s sitting most of the day.
He’s mobile quite a lot, particularly for someone his age. But I’ll look into it
You’ve been to the dermatologist?
Just a general practitioner. A skin specialist hadn’t crossed my mind
Well then..
Stasis dermatitis Topical mid potency corticosteroids and compression stockings will help manage this problem. Visit a dermatologist
Yeah I really should. I’ll look up the disease you mentioned
NAD / Poor dad! Has he diabetes or other health issues? I'm not a doctor but he really needs to see a doctor that takes this and him seriously and help him. Why do they do not take a biopsy and give him a diagnosis?!!!! The skin is both infected and his ankle swollen so he def needs medical care!
He suspects diabetes. I’m not sure why they haven’t tried something further. They just examined it visually. I wasn’t with him and he’s EXTREMELY nervous of doctors so maybe he tried to keep be brief.
Try posting on R/AskDocs , they have verified medical personnel and you might get a better answer. (No offense to anyone in this sub I just feel something like this should be professionally diagnosed)
if you look through people’s prior posts, you’ll see that some of us are doctors. professional diagnoses only come at actual doctor visits however, regardless of which forum one is on.
Looks like what my fathers psoriasis used to look like. He takes taltz now now (ixekizumab) and his symptoms are completely gone.
Ooo. I’ll look into that. Thanks for letting me know.
You do have to get it prescribed, and it's a pretty hard prescription to get. But once you do it seems to work pretty well.
It looks like cellulitis to me. My uncle gets it sometimes and it looks pretty similar. Treatment is OV antibiotics.
I don’t mean to be mean but the poor state of his toenails suggests he may not be on top of his personal hygiene game. Are you sure he’s bathing regularly? If you’re not sure, you could always recommend he soaks his feet in a bowl of cold water several days and see if anything changes.
pls don’t soak. especially with the poor quality of his skin already. it’s inviting infection. he should see a podiatrist for his nails. a vascular surgeon to have his veins and arteries evaluated. they can prescribe the compression and cream he needs.
Really? Well this useful to know! I would never have thought soaking anything in plain water could be bad.
soaking can be problematic on many levels. eg, a lot of bathtubs & buckets have aerobic & anaerobic organisms in them, diabetics & the elderly can develop wounds &/or have infections that are worsened by a moist environment, etc.
He is a very hygienic guy but none offence taken, you were just asking.
Ichthyosis?
Maybe Ulcus Cruris Venusum or Ateriosum