Varicose veins are fairly common, especially in women. More prominent than the thin, blue spider veins you see just below the surface of the skin, varicose veins are swollen, twisted and enlarged veins that develop when blood doesn’t move as it should.
“Although skin-level varicose veins are unsightly, they generally don’t cause long-term health problems,” says Dr. J. Chad Tober, FACS, board-certified vascular surgeon at Beaufort Memorial. “However, people who have them can develop pain, swelling, itching, cramping, cracked skin and ulcers.”
Read More: Are Your Blood Vessels Healthy?
Some Varicose Veins Are Easy to Treat
Varicose veins often develop in people who stand or sit for long periods of time at work. Compression socks or tights can help improve blood flow and reduce swelling when you’re sitting or standing, as can elevating your legs above your heart in three to four 15-minute increments. At work, reduce the amount of time you sit or stand if possible. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight can also help.
If home care doesn’t help, you may need specialized vein treatments, which can include:
- Sclerotherapy, where a chemical solution is injected into the vein and causes it to shrink
- Phlebectomy, a minor surgery to remove the vein
- Endovenous ablation, in which lasers are used to seal off a vein, causing blood to flow through other healthy veins
Read More: Don’t Ignore Your Leg Pain
Varicose Veins Can Get Worse With Age
As you get older, varicose veins that didn’t cause problems when you were younger may lead to pain.
“Without any kind of treatment or lifestyle changes, you could run the risk of developing leg sores that do not heal,” Dr. Tober says. “You may even develop deep vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal blood clot that often forms in the legs and can travel to the lungs.”
Untreated varicose veins can also burst, which is a medical emergency.
“In short, if you’ve developed varicose veins, you should discuss them with your doctor,” Dr. Tober says. “We can help you find the right treatment.”
If you’re ready to do something about your varicose veins, the vascular specialists at Beaufort Memorial are here to help. Request an appointment.
