Varicose Veins
Varicose veins and treatment options
Varicose vein information
- Varicose veins are dilated, bulging, discoloured superficial veins.
- Spider veins are veins that appear as smaller blue, purple or bright red lines.
- They tend to have a family association, and more common in women, worse during pregnancy
- Can cause pain with swelling and standing for long periods.
- Varicose veins can be associated with blood clots or skin changes.
- Rarely are spider veins a cause of pain.
- Some individuals are concerned about the cosmetic appearance of these veins.
Eastern Vein Centre
Explore our dedicated vein-care website for more information about varicose veins and treatment options.
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Our Centre have extensive experience with the latest techniques to manage venous disease, varicose veins and spider veins.
More information
Techniques are used to provide individualised care for any venous problem whether it be sudden and serious or chronic and long-term.
What causes varicose veins?
Veins have valves that return blood flow from the legs to the heart.
When the valves fail to work properly, blood will pool in the leg, and the increased pressure may cause the veins to become enlarged and painful.
The high pressure in the veins can cause blood to leak out into the tissues. The blood becomes trapped in the skin, and turns brown. This brownish pigmentation typically occurs around and above the ankles.
Over time, the leakage of blood and fluid into the leg can cause damage to the skin. Ulcers of the skin can occur, usually in the ankle area.
FAQs
Varicose veins may not cause any pain. Signs you may have with varicose veins include:
- Veins that are dark purple or blue in colour
- Veins that appear twisted and bulging; often like cords on your legs
When painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include:
- An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
- Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
- Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- Itching around one or more of your veins
- Bleeding from varicose veins
- A painful cord in the vein with red discolouration of the skin
- Colour changes, hardening of the vein, inflammation of the skin or skin ulcers near your ankle, which can mean you have a serious form of vascular disease that requires medical attention
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they’re smaller. Spider veins are found closer to the skin’s surface and are often red or blue.