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These are large dilated veins that appear twisted under the skin, blue in color, and cause pain and/or swelling.
Many people wonder if these veins require treatment and what treatments are best. Varicose Veins can be cosmetically unappealing but also cause pain, heaviness, and swelling. These are prime candidates for treatment. There are two general treatment options: conservative measures, such as compression stockings, and “corrective methods such as Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), Microphlebectomy, or Sclerotherapy. In some cases, a combination of treatment methods works best. To best determine the true problems a venous ultrasound exam should be done.
There are two venous systems in your legs, the deep and the superficial, each having one-way valves so blood only goes one way, back to the heart. The deep veins do most of the work returning blood to the heart and can develop blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The superficial veins do less work and the one-way valves can become incompetent, or not able to maintain blood flow properly. This results in the pooling of blood in the veins and causing varicose veins.
Spider veins are small red, blue, or purple veins on the surface of the skin that usually are not painful, but are unattractive especially if numerous. Women can experience these unsightly veins on the legs caused by hormones and family history, but both men and women can experience them on the face. This is primarily from sun and/or wind damage taken place over the years.
Ulcers or wounds that do not heal can appear on the ankles usually caused by perforator vein insufficiency.
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