Varicose Veins - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
By ScanSkinAI Editorial Team✓ Reviewed for medical safetyLast updated June 2026
Enlarged, twisted veins that usually occur in the legs. They develop when vein valves weaken, allowing blood to pool. Common but usually not serious.
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Quick Answer
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted leg veins caused by weakened valves. Blood pools instead of flowing back to the heart, creating dark blue or purple bulges. While often harmless, they can cause aching, heaviness, cramping, or itching. Risk factors include age, pregnancy, prolonged standing, and family history. Many people find relief through compression stockings, leg elevation, and regular exercise. If symptoms are severe or cause skin changes, modern doctors can offer minimally invasive, in-office treatments to close the affected veins.
Clinical Context
Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous superficial veins caused by venous valve incompetence and elevated venous pressure. They affect approximately 23% of adults. Normal vein valves prevent backflow; when damaged, blood pools in the legs, progressively dilating veins. The great saphenous vein is most commonly affected. While often considered cosmetic, varicose veins can cause significant symptoms and complications including chronic venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, and venous ulcers. Risk increases with age, female sex, pregnancy, obesity, and prolonged standing. Treatment has evolved from vein stripping to minimally invasive procedures.
Symptoms
- Bulging, twisted veins visible under skin
- Dark purple or blue color
- Aching or heavy legs
- Muscle cramping
- Worsening after sitting or standing
- Itching around veins
Severity & Progression
Causes & Risk Factors
- Weak or damaged vein valves
- Age
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
- Family history
Treatment & Management
Conservative management includes compression stockings (15-20 or 20-30 mmHg), leg elevation, exercise, and weight loss. For symptomatic or complicated varicose veins, minimally invasive treatments have largely replaced surgery. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) close abnormal veins using heat. Sclerotherapy (injection of a sclerosing agent) is used for smaller veins. Newer options include mechanochemical ablation and cyanoacrylate glue. These procedures are performed in-office with local anesthesia and minimal downtime. Traditional vein stripping surgery is now rarely needed.
- Compression stockings
- Leg elevation
- Exercise
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser treatment
- Vein stripping or ablation
Red Flags & Complications
Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Stasis dermatitis and skin changes
- Venous ulcers (chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds)
- Superficial thrombophlebitis (painful clot)
- Bleeding from vein rupture
- Lipodermatosclerosis (hardened, scarred skin)
Self-Care Tips
- Wear compression stockings during waking hours
- Elevate legs above heart level when resting
- Exercise regularly (walking improves calf muscle pump)
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting
- Maintain healthy weight
- Don't cross legs when sitting
- Move your legs frequently during long trips
When to See a Doctor
If veins become painful, skin changes develop, or you develop sores
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have varicose veins?
You will typically notice dark purple or blue veins that bulge or twist just under the skin of your legs. Alongside the visible changes, your legs might feel heavy, achy, or tired, especially after long periods of standing or sitting. Some people also experience muscle cramping, itching around the vein, or mild swelling in the feet and ankles.
Why do some people get varicose veins?
Inside your veins are small valves that keep blood flowing toward your heart. If these valves become weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the legs, stretching the veins. This often runs in families and is more common as we age. Pregnancy, obesity, and jobs that require standing for long hours also increase your likelihood of developing them.
When should I see a doctor about my leg veins?
You should seek medical advice if your varicose veins become persistently painful, warm to the touch, or if the skin over them becomes red and irritated. It is especially important to see a doctor if you develop skin changes like tough, discoloured patches, a hard lump in the vein, bleeding, or open sores on your lower legs, as these indicate more advanced vein disease.
Will I need surgery to remove my varicose veins?
Traditional surgery, known as vein stripping, is rarely needed today. If your veins cause significant discomfort or skin complications, doctors usually recommend minimally invasive, in-office procedures. Options include endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablation, which use heat to close the vein, or sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution to collapse it. These treatments typically require minimal downtime and only local anaesthetic.
How can I stop varicose veins from getting worse?
While you cannot completely prevent them, self-care measures can significantly ease symptoms and slow their progression. Wearing fitted compression stockings during the day helps support blood upward. Elevating your legs above your heart when resting reduces pooling. Additionally, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting will greatly support overall leg vein health.
Are varicose veins just a cosmetic issue?
No, while many people seek treatment simply because they dislike how bulging veins look, the condition is not purely cosmetic. For many, varicose veins cause uncomfortable daily physical symptoms like deep aching and leg fatigue. If left entirely unmanaged, poorer circulation can sometimes lead to serious complications over time, such as chronic swelling, skin discolouration, or difficult-to-heal ulcers on the ankles.
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
Spider veins are smaller, flat, web-like clusters of red or blue vessels on the skin's surface. They are generally harmless and rarely cause physical discomfort. Varicose veins are much larger, deeper, and bulge out from the skin like twisted cords. Because they involve larger blood volumes and higher pressure, varicose veins are far more likely to cause aching, heaviness, and potentially serious skin complications.
How can ScanSkinAI help with varicose veins?
ScanSkinAI serves as a helpful screening aid to document your skin changes and bulging veins over time. By analysing your images, the AI can help identify visual features consistent with varicose veins and track their progression. However, please remember that our tool cannot officially diagnose venous disease or assess your internal blood flow. Always consult a healthcare professional for a medical diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
Related Conditions
Medical References
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.