What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
While varicose veins don’t develop overnight, they sometimes take years to turn into a problem. Besides their unsightly appearance, symptoms may include burning, aching, fatigue, heaviness, swelling, and muscle cramping. Sudden leg swelling that with or without pain and redness could mean a blood clot in the deep veins, and you should seek immediate medical attention. Skin ulcers near the ankle may indicate a severe form of vascular disease that requires immediate medical treatment.
Varicose veins may cause aching of the legs. The ankles, calf and feet may swell towards day’s end, especially in hot weather. Varicose veins can become sore and inflamed, causing redness of the skin around them. Skin changes from long standing vein problems include thickening of the skin, a brown discoloration, red rashes, and skin infections. Some patients with severe vein problems can develop sores on the ankles, known as venous ulceration. These are often difficult to heal, and can be helped by treating the underlying vein problem to prevent the reflux that led to the ulceration.
