Purple feet or purple toes are a common sign of poor circulation, often linked to an underlying vascular condition like peripheral artery disease (PAD). While discoloration can be alarming, it’s not always a cause for concern. Understanding the potential causes of purple feet can help you address the issue and prevent symptoms from worsening. Early detection of conditions like peripheral artery disease can improve your vascular health and overall quality of life.
Why Do Feet Turn Purple?
The medical term for bluish or purple discoloration caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood is called cyanosis. Cyanosis is common among people who are over the age of 50 and can be a sign of an underlying vascular condition.
Discoloration in the lower extremities typically occurs due to:
- Poor Circulation: Poor circulation is the most common cause of swollen purple feet or discoloration. When circulation is restricted, it’s harder for oxygenated blood to travel to the lower extremities, causing discoloration.
- Blood Clots: Blood clots in the veins and arteries can also cause the feet to turn blue or purplish. This is common among diabetics or patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Common Causes of Purple Feet in Adults
Many vascular conditions can cause blue or purple feet and, at times, extend to the toes. The five common causes of discoloration in the lower extremities include:
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque buildup restricts the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the extremities, causing chronic pain, discoloration, and non-healing sores. Individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are most at risk for developing PAD.
If you have any of these conditions, take our free peripheral artery disease (PAD) assessment to evaluate your risk and discover steps to improve circulation and prevent further complications.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is caused by damaged or weakened vein valves. When the valves are damaged, the veins can’t return blood to the heart from the lower extremities. This can cause blood pooling in the legs, leading to purple and blue feet, swelling, and varicose veins. Individuals with a history of blood clots or who are overweight are most at risk of developing CVI. If left untreated, CVI can lead to complications such as venous ulcers, infections, or risk of severe blood clots through deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Acrocyanosis
Acrocyanosis is a rare, benign condition that causes reduced blood flow to the extremities. This leads to discolored feet, but most patients don’t feel any pain. Acrocyanosis is typically a sign of an underlying health condition, like Raynaud’s disease or hypothyroidism.
Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s disease causes the blood vessels to constrict excessively, leading to episodic vasospasms, the sudden narrowing of a blood vessel. These vasospasms can reduce blood flow, leading to purple, blue, or pale feet. Raynaud’s disease typically affects the hands, fingers, ears, and nose. While most cases are mild and can be resolved without long-term issues, severe cases of secondary Raynaud’s can lead to complications like ulcers or tissue damage.
Dangers of Leaving Purple Feet Untreated
When left untreated, purple feet can lead to gangrene. Gangrene is a life-threatening condition that causes healthy body tissue to die due to lack of blood flow. Gangrene can occur during stage IV of peripheral artery disease when symptoms worsen to the point of amputation.
When to Be Concerned About Purple Feet & PAD
When purple feet and discoloration are paired with other vascular symptoms, it could indicate a serious vascular condition, like peripheral artery disease.
Some common symptoms of peripheral artery disease include:
- Calf or hip pain
- Purple or blue feet
- Leg cramping
- Leg pain, numbness, or weakness
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Non-healing wounds
If you have purple feet or may be at risk for peripheral artery disease, schedule a comprehensive vascular exam for an accurate diagnosis. A vascular specialist will determine the root cause of the discoloration and offer treatment recommendations based on your diagnosis.
Treatment for Purple Feet
If a vascular specialist determines that PAD is the cause of your purple feet, they may recommend treatment to help alleviate symptoms. USA Vascular Centers specializes in minimally invasive treatments, providing effective options tailored to each patient’s needs. These outpatient procedures are designed to help patients regain mobility and avoid more invasive surgeries.
Available treatments at USA Vascular Centers:
- Angioplasty: Opens narrowed arteries using a small balloon to improve blood flow.
- Angioplasty with stent placement: Combines balloon angioplasty with inserting a stent to keep the artery open long-term.
- Atherectomy: A specialized device is used to carefully remove plaque buildup from the artery’s walls.
PAD is a progressive disease that cannot be entirely reversed. However, significant symptom relief can be achieved. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your quality of life and prevent the disease from progressing.
Schedule a Consultation With USA Vascular Centers
Swollen purple feet and persistent discoloration are abnormal and should be seen by a medical professional to avoid worsening symptoms.
USA Vascular Centers offers vascular screenings and minimally invasive treatments for peripheral artery disease. We’re here to provide an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan for your condition to prevent future complications.
Don’t let your symptoms worsen. Schedule a consultation today.
FAQs
What are the first signs of poor circulation in feet?
Cold feet, leg numbness, and purple feet/toes are early signs of poor circulation in the lower extremities.
Can diabetes cause feet to turn purple?
Yes, diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and purple feet. Patients with diabetes are also at risk of developing serious vascular conditions like peripheral artery disease.
How is PAD diagnosed?
Peripheral artery disease is diagnosed using an ankle-brachial index (ABI), ultrasound, blood tests, or angiography.