Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins most often found in the legs. They are often blue or purple and may bulge, twist, and stand out under the skin.
Normally, veins return blood from the body to the heart. The leg veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward in the vein. When the valves are weak or damaged, blood backs up in the veins. This may cause some of the veins to swell and bulge and become varicose veins.
Symptoms
Varicose veins don't always cause symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include:
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Legs that feel tired, achy, heavy, or itchy.
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Leg muscle cramps.
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Skin changes, such as discoloration, dryness, redness, or rash. (In more severe cases, you may also have sores on the skin called venous leg ulcers.)
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Bulging veins.
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Swelling.
Risk factors
There are many things that increase the risk for varicose veins. These can include:
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Being a woman.
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Being older.
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Sitting or standing for a long time.
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Being overweight.
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Being pregnant.
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Having a family history of varicose veins.
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Having traumatic damage to veins.
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Taking birth control pills.
Treatment starts with simple self-help measures (see below). If these don’t help, there are many procedures that can be done to shrink or remove varicose veins. Your health care provider can tell you more about these choices, if needed.
Home care
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Support or compression stockings will likely be prescribed. If so, be sure to wear them as directed. They may help improve blood flow.
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Exercising helps to make your leg muscles stronger and to improve blood flow. To get the most benefit, choose exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling. Also try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days.
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Raising (elevating) your legs lets gravity help blood flow back to the heart. Sit or lie with your feet above heart level a few times throughout the day, or as directed.
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Don't sit or stand for long periods. Change positions often. Also, move your ankles, toes, and knees often. This may also help improve blood flow.
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If you are overweight, talk with your health care provider about setting up a weight-loss plan. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the strain on your veins. It may also improve symptoms, such as swelling and aching.
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If you have dryness and itching, ask your provider about special lotions that can be applied to the skin to help improve symptoms.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as directed. If imaging tests were done, you’ll be told the results and if there are any new findings that affect your care.
When to get medical advice
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
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Sudden, severe leg swelling, pain, or redness.
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Symptoms that get worse or that don’t improve with self-care.
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Bleeding from any affected veins.
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Ulcers forming on the legs, ankles, or feet.
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.
