A lot of physical things can go wrong with your legs: problems with your skin, arteries, nerves, muscles, joints and bones can all cause leg trouble. Sussing out leg symptoms could be tricky, as well as health professionals usually have problems deciding what may be wrong, because leg pain and swelling may appear alone or in in conjunction with other problems.
A leg that's both painful and swollen may be caused by any of the following conditions:
Cellulitis: Skin infections (called cellulitis) on the leg are typical. They may develop without reason but they are more likely if you already suffer from athlete's foot (an itchy infection that commonly occurs between your toes) or if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Using a tender leg is a sign that you might have cellulitis. You also have a red patch on the skin that may spread, and you'll have a fever and feel generally unwell. See your doctor, because you'll probably need a course of antibiotics if the diagnosis is confirmed.
Thrombosis: A deep vein thrombosis (or DVT) is a blood clot in one of your veins, usually in your leg. This clot can be dangerous, if it dislodges and travels inside the bloodstream to your lung (called pulmonary embolism), it can cause severe difficulty in breathing - a medical emergency. You're at a heightened risk of creating a DVT in these circumstances:
Call '999' if you possess a swollen and/or painful leg and notice the following signs, which may indicate a lung problem due to a dislodged blood clot from your leg:
Varicose veins: Veins that lie underneath your skin and therefore are enlarged due to impaired blood flow are called spider veins and may lead to aching legs, particularly after standing for prolonged periods. Varicose veins are common in seniors and while pregnant. They may result in vein inflammation (known as thrombophlebitis), swelling of the lower leg or foot and skin changes (called varicose eczema).
In many instances, varicose veins don't need any treatment, but elevating your legs, avoiding prolonged standing and wearing support stockings (offered by your pharmacist) may help to alleviate your symptoms. See your doctor to discuss further treatment options if your symptoms are severe or don't settle. Occasionally, varicose veins may lead to leg ulcers or bleeding, in which case you need to determine your doctor at some point.
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