There are many causes of lower leg skin pain. To figure out what is causing your pain, it's important to accurately describe it in terms of when it began, what it looks like and so on. This helps doctors to narrow down the causes of your pain into different categories, such as vascular problems, endocrine problems and traumatic problems. The treatment for lower leg skin pain will depend on what the cause of this pain is. Three common causes of lower leg skin pain are varicose veins, allergic reactions and minor lacerations and abrasions.
Causes
Venous insufficiency -- which can cause varicose veins -- can cause lower leg skin pain from ulcerations associated with poor circulation, while diabetes can cause lower leg pain -- although it typically causes numbness and tingling -- because of the micro-circulatory and neurological damage done to your body by hyperglycemia. In other cases, an allergic reaction may produce pain. Finally, simple lacerations or abrasions on your legs may be causing pain.
Approach
To figure out what is causing your lower leg skin pain, you need to answer several questions. First, when did you first notice the pain and in what setting? The pain of varicose veins would have developed slowly, over time, while the pain of an allergic reaction or an abrasion would have occurred more rapidly and you likely would have noticed it. Second, what does your lower leg look like? Is there an obvious cut? Is there a rash or an area of red, raised skin that would suggest an allergic reaction? Do you have large, dilated varicose veins?
Treatment for Varicose Veins
If you have varicose veins, treatment usually begins with wearing compression stockings and becoming more active. Varicose veins result from blood pooling in the superficial veins of your legs; these treatment measures work because they apply pressure to your lower legs, thereby encouraging pooled blood to return to your heart. In many people, these measures will resolve or significantly improve their symptoms. If this treatment fails, surgery is an option.
Treatment for Allergies
If you are having an allergic reaction to something, identify what you're reacting to and avoid it in the future. Common things that people have contact allergies to include new fabrics or new fabric detergent and plants like poison ivy or poison oak. You can usually treat your allergic reaction with a topical anti-inflammatory cream such as Benadryl.
Treatment for Lacerations and Abrasions
If you have a laceration or abrasion causing you pain, keep it clean and covered, as dirt in a wound can cause infection. If the wound is deep or there is a lot of debris in it, you should see a doctor to have it cleaned and stitched appropriately. Most superficial wounds will form new skin within a matter of days and will have healed reasonably well by about a week to 10 days after the injury.
