Does Poor Circulation Cause a Burning Sensation in the Thigh?

Poor circulation comes with several lesser-known symptoms, such as a burning sensation in the thigh. Here’s what you can do about it.

More than six million people in the U.S. have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a progressive vein disorder resulting from poor circulation in the leg veins. Stagnant blood flow causes various symptoms in the legs, including extreme swelling, pain, varicose veins, itchy skin, cramping, and a burning sensation in the thigh.

Exposure to hot or cold temperatures and irritating substances can cause a burning sensation in the skin, so it’s important to check if you’re experiencing other CVI symptoms. As each patient may experience CVI differently, the best way to determine if you have the disorder is to get diagnosed by a vein specialist.

What causes the burning sensation?

First, we need to understand how the circulatory system works. Arteries transport oxygenated blood from your heart to your tissues and organs. The veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart for another dose of oxygen with the help of tiny valves that line the inside of the veins. But these valves can weaken due to various factors. As a result, blood backflows and pools, a process called venous reflux.

This buildup of blood causes the vein to swell. It allows blood to seep into the surrounding tissue, leading to burning, tingling, and “pins and needles” sensations in the thigh and lower leg. It can also cause itchy skin, cramping, and a general feeling of heaviness.

How to cool down the burn

Boosting circulation in the leg veins will relieve the burning sensation and other uncomfortable CVI symptoms. You can try these conservative at-home methods to cool down the burn:

Wear compression stockings. Compression stockings are made of an elastic fiber material that gently squeezes the leg veins to promote blood flow. Compression stockings are especially beneficial if you need to sit or stand for long hours.

Elevate your legs. Raise your legs above your heart for about 30 minutes, three times a day, to get the blood moving in the right direction.

Take a walk. In addition to compression stockings, walking can promote blood circulation. Every time you take a step, you engage your calf muscles, which help the veins move blood to the heart.

Soak in cold water. Soaking your legs in cold water can shrink the veins, reducing swelling, itchiness, and burning sensations.

Note that conservative methods can alleviate CVI symptoms, but surgical treatment is the only proven way to eliminate CVI. In addition to resolving CVI symptoms, today’s minimally invasive surgeries can prevent serious complications, such as skin ulcers, bleeding, and dangerous blood clots.

Find Center for Vein Restoration in Massachusetts

Are you feeling the burn and other symptoms of CVI? Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) operates a full-service vein care center in Framingham, Massachusetts, to alleviate those symptoms.

Pamela Kim, MD, RPVI, a board-certified vascular surgeon with additional certification in General Surgery and Vascular Interpretation, brings years of medical experience to diagnose venous insufficiency and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Don't live near our Framingham CVR vein clinic location? No problem! With over 100 vein clinic locations in 22 states and the District of Columbia, there's sure to be a CVR vein center near you.

Contact Dr. Kim to learn more about your treatment options, or schedule your consultation appointment online today!

463 Worcester Road

Suite 205

Framingham, MA 01701