Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are very swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They are dark purple or blue in color, and can look like cords or very twisted and bulging. They are found most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg, anywhere from the groin to the ankle. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller, are often red or blue in color, and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like a tree branch or spider web with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on both the legs and the face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins:

• Itching around one or more of your veins. 
  Skin ulcers near your ankle, which represent a severe form of vascular disease and require immediate attention. 
• An achy or heavy feeling in your legs, and burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs. Prolonged sitting or standing tends to make your legs feel worse. 

Types of varicose veins include:

• Telangiectases. These are fine clusters of blood vessels similar to spider veins, reddish in color and often found on the face or upper body. 
• Venous lakes. These are pools of blood in the veins, often found on the face and neck. 
• Reticular veins. These flat, blue veins under the skin often appear behind the knee. 

Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may swell considerably. Any sudden leg swelling that may or may not be accompanied by pain and redness warrants urgent medical attention, as it may indicate a blood clot.

Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 60 percent of all Americans. Women, especially older women, are more likely than men are to have this problem. Treatment may involve self-help measures, or procedures by your doctor to close or remove veins.

Varicose Veins Symptoms to V