The skin changes associated with chronic venous insufficiency are sometimes called venous stasis dermatitis and are the result of long term venous reflux, swelling and increased pressure in the veins.
Eventually the constant increased pressure and swelling causes the skin to become damaged and inflamed (cellulitis) The skin eventually becomes reddish brown, hard, thick, leathery, dry and itchy. Although treatment will probably not reverse all of the skin changes, treatment aimed at relieving the swelling and decreasing the pressure in the veins will improve symptoms and prevent progressions to skin ulcerations.