Eczema (varicose)

Varicose eczema is a type of eczema (chronic skin condition) that affects the legs.

Varicose eczema usually occurs in the skin over and around varicose veins. It is caused by the faulty valves in varicose veins, which allow blood to flow in the wrong direction.

Like all types of eczema, the skin becomes dry and itchy. It is usually a minor annoyance and leads to no major problem.

Varicose eczema can affect middle-aged to elderly people. Factors that increase a person's risk of developing the condition are:

• having varicose veins, and
• being overweight.