Symptoms of vein problems vary widely depending on severity. Some individuals only have cosmetic symptoms while others may experience intense pain and even skin ulcers. Modern vein treatments are fully capable of addressing most cosmetic symptoms, and may improve more medically significant symptoms as well.
Visual Signs of Vein Problems
Medical professionals will typically use visual cues to help diagnose vein disease. Because vein disease is progressive, vein problems can look very different from person to person.
Small veins on the surface of the skin may appear red, blue, or purple (spider veins) while larger veins may become twisted and bulge from the skin (varicose veins).
As vein disease progresses and more veins are affected, the leg may become swollen while the skin becomes firm and discolored due to the insufficient flow and accumulation of blood in the veins. If left untreated, vein disease can lead to open wounds, also known as venous leg ulcers.¹⁻³
Hidden Symptoms of Vein Problems
Even without obvious visual changes, one or more of the following medically significant symptoms may be caused by underlying vein problems.¹⁻³
- Leg Pain
- Itching or Burning
- Throbbing or Aching
- Restless Legs
- Tingling or Numbness
- Leg Fatigue or Heaviness
- Leg Cramps
Learn More
Cramping, itchiness, restless legs: the hidden symptoms of vein problems
Restless Legs? Vein Treatment Might Help
How vein disease can negatively impact your daily life
References
[1] Eberhardt and Raffetto (2014). Contemporary Views in Cardiovascular Medicine: Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Circulation. 2014;130:333-346.
[2] Cesarone MR et al. (2002). ‘Real’ epidemiology of varicose veins and chronic venous diseases: the San Valentino Vascular Screening Project. Angiology 2002; 53: 119–130.
[3] Meissner, M. H. (2016). What is effective care for varicose veins? Phlebology, 31(1_suppl), 80–87.
