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What Causes Legs To Turn Blue And Itchy While Standing?
Question: My sons legs turn blue and itchy when he stands
Brief Answer:
Further cardiac-vascular tests are needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the query of your son and understood your concerns.
I suggest to consult further an angiologist and cardiologist and to run further tests to exclude cardiac-vascular problems:
- Echo Doppler of the blood vessels of the legs
- EKG
- holter monitoring
- cardiac ultrasound
- aorta ultrasound (abdominal and thoracic aorta)
To my judgement, there might be some damages of the blood vessels of the legs of your son which might also related to problems to aorta. The tests will determine the right diagnosis and to prescribe the right treatment.
Although it seems to be worrisome, it is not as long as your son's growth is according to the normal growth's charts.
Hope it was of help!
Feel free to ask me other questions you might have! I'd be happy to assist you!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He has had a MRI which they said was inconclusive. He has had an ECG of the heart which was OK. A vascular surgeon said it was nothing and he just has to live with it. His 9 year old sister has started to have the same symptoms. He has hypermobility syndrome as do I, his father. Genetics tested for Marfans Syndrome as we both have traits of the condition although the faulty gene wasn't present. He also has a pectus excavatum for which he is waiting for surgery, but they aren't keen on doing the operation until they know what else is going on with him.
Brief Answer:
Following tests recommended...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The fact that the legs of your son turn blue while standing means that blood is not circulating well. If it happens when he stays in standing position for long time, that is normal.
The abnormality is while he is also having itchiness. If the angiologist did not see any problem with his blood vessels (fortunately), then, I suggest to consult a neurologist and to run conduction study (to evaluate the muscles and nerves function).
Furthermore, I also suggest to :
- do thyroid function testing
- measure the levels of heavy metals in the blood
- fasting blood sugar testing, HbA1C test and oral glucose tolerance test (to exclude diabetes) and other tests to exclude autoimmune diseases.
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would any of these problems be related to why he is 5 foot 8 inches tall and only 6 stone in weight. He is always exhausted and has been diagnosed with M.E. (Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome) as well.Would any of these problems be related to why he is 5 foot 8 inches tall and only 6 stone in weight. He is always exhausted and has been diagnosed with M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) as well.
Brief Answer:
Organic problems to be ruled out first...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If this is the case of your son, can you please upload his photo (face, body,) to see his construction? Please bare in mind that keeping privacy is one of the Terms and Conditions of this site.
Before giving the final diagnose of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to a 14 years old patient, there are many other tests to be run in order to determine why he is experiencing all this.
In other words, many common and rare diseases and conditions should be ruled out before finalizing chronic fatigue syndrome. Genetics is also to be taken into consideration to evaluate your son's condition.
That's why if I was his caring doctor would go deeper and analyze further the health situation of your son (including genetic studies too).
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Find attached photos of our son.
Brief Answer:
Very exhausted child...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the photos of your son and feel sorry for the situation he is in. His exhaustion is also highly noticed.
I highly suggest to run all tests for metabolic diseases, checking his hormonal level, together with measuring the levels of calcium and vitamin D in the blood to further evaluate his fatigue.
I also advise to discuss further the case of your son with immunologist and orthopedist. To my opinion, what is happening to your son is highly related to the genetic problems of pectus excavatum, which might influence in the nearby organs.
As I do not have his blood work, I would insist to run tests to determine if he has deficiencies (hormonal, vitamins,etc.).
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
the surgeon he saw about his pectus excavatum said that it wasn't affecting his organs and that the operation would be done for cosmetic reasons. the problem is, how do we approach his GP about getting what you suggest checked, I doubt if he would take us seriously. I don't know if you could see how blue his legs and feet were, but one doctor told us that it was physicological. we don't know how to move forward as no one seems to be taking him seriously.
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your worries a parent; however, as long as there was no problem seen in the MRI and Doppler of the blood vessels in the leg, then there is nothing you should be worried about.
Furthermore, I am also happy to know that no damage has been caused to the lungs or heart, meaning that his chest malformation is not worrisome.
With regards to the tests I mentioned, you can discuss with your GP as the majority of them are considered as routine: complete blood profile, levels of vitamins, electrolytes in the blood, hormonal balance (thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, etc). Let him do these test first, which are routine.
Depending on the test results, proper treatment will be prescribed.
Meanwhile, I also advise to let him start taking multivitamin supplementation (containing vit.D, calcium, B complex, C, and other minerals).
I also advise to let him be more physically active especially in fresh air, during XXXXXXX days, at seaside, or mountain, etc. Getting physically active will help his muscles strengthen together with sunlight.
You can discuss this with his doctor too to see his opinion on this as he is having the medical records of your son.
You can get helped by local physiotherapist too.
Let me know if you have other query!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Our son was always active before all this started, captain of the school football team, played badminton and was always out on his bike or with friends. If he could still do these things he would, but as you say yourself from the photos, he is in no fit state to do anything.
He is wakened during the night due to discomfort coming from what he describes as his ribs digging into his chest, could the pectus excavatum be worse than what the consultant thinks as he has never had a chest X-ray. From memory the Paediatrics did a full blood test checking thyroid etc and everything was ok.
We just don't seem to be getting any where. His legs turning blue can't be normal, they spoke about doing another MRI as the first one was inconclusive but they aren't going to do another one now. Could they have missed something?
Brief Answer:
Insist to run further tests,not only physical exam
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I insist in doing further examinations to your son:
- chest X-ray
- chest ct-scan
- another ECG
- cardiac echo
- stress test
- another Doppler of the legs' blood vessels
- another MRI
- complete blood work
if it has been a while from the last time you did such exams
Furthermore, I also insist to discuss with orthopedist to run ct scan of the chest to exclude pulmonary or other damages, and not only based on physical examination.
I also suggest to measure your son's blood pressure when he changes position (from sitting to standing), i.e. measure the bp while lying, sitting, and standing in order to see if there is any oscillations in blood pressure.
A healthy diet plays a crucial role in providing the right nutrients to your son, especially at his age (14s). Encourage him to get involved in physical activities without overloading, within the limits of his energy.
At the end, if you have run tests longer than 1 year ago, I suggest to discuss with GP and to repeat the tests. If your GP or other doctors won't agree with you, you have the saint right to change doctor and to get a specialized medical attention.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
we took our son to see a different GP at our usual practice today. he said that if the vascular surgeon wasn't worried, he wasn't worried either, he said as long as there was circulation that was the important thing. he has prescribed Crotamiton cream to apply to the legs and Loratadine tablets to both try and stop the itching, he has to take the tablets as required but I dont know how that would work as his legs go blue and itchy every time he stands up. blood was also taken to test for Lymes Disease, assuming in relation to the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. other than that, he doesn't seem to think there is anything to worry about.
Brief Answer:
Wait until the results of Lyme disease test...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Here, I need to ask something:
- is the itching localized only in his legs after standing or involves his body too (including hands, tummy, back)?
Loratadine will help your boy ease the itchiness.
I too think that as long as his blood circulation in his legs is not altered, there is nothing to be worried about. It is good that he asked to test for Lyme disease.
With regards to other tests I suggested, I still think to have them run if (and only if) you did the tests about 1 year ago. If less than 1 year, then, can ask to repeat annually.
At this moment, I suggest to wait for the results of Lyme disease, and let him have healthy, nutritive meals and encourage to be as active as he can.
Thank you!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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