In their most common forms, varicose veins are not dangerous. However, they often cause discomfort, may be considered unsightly by those who have them, and can be a limitation in daily life that may lead to decreased quality of life.
In some cases, varicose veins can worsen, becoming both painful and dangerous.
Some of the most common symptoms indicating that varicose veins have worsened include discoloration of the lower part of the leg combined with persistent weeping sores, pain, and restlessness in the legs at night or when standing up after sitting for a while, and if the varicose veins begin to bleed uncontrollably without any significant external injury.
When varicose veins exhibit serious symptoms, it is crucial to immediately seek medical attention. At Varicose Vein Clinics, our specialist can examine your legs for varicose veins and assess their severity. This is done through a preliminary examination, which is the first step towards addressing varicose veins.
Dangerous Conditions Caused by Varicose Veins
Some of the conditions that can occur when varicose veins are severe, and indeed dangerous, include:
Hyperpigmentation
In severe cases of varicose veins, blood in the veins of the legs can leak into the surrounding tissue. This causes the leg to swell and become painful for the patient, and the skin may also become discolored in a dark tone. This condition is known as hyperpigmentation.
Lipodermatosclerosis
Lipodermatosclerosis is a condition that can occur in severe cases of varicose veins when the veins in the legs function very poorly. Lipodermatosclerosis is an inflammation of the lower leg, usually at ankle height, and appears on the outside of the leg as a severe discoloration in a dark tone. This will cause the leg to swell, take on a firm shape, and feel heavy, making it difficult to relax.
Venous Leg Ulcer
Varicose veins resulting from severe wear of the venous valves in the legs can over time cause venous leg ulcers. This condition means that the skin breaks down and exposes the tissue underneath. Venous leg ulcers tend to grow over time, thus creating increasing discomfort and irritation in the legs. Venous leg ulcers can be as large as a palm, and the sores are often red or yellow.
Spontaneous Bleeding
Varicose veins tend to break down the skin over time. This means that the varicose veins come closer to the surface of the skin, which in turn means that the slightest injury to the skin can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. The bleeding itself may not cause pain, but the blood loss can become serious if the injury is not treated.
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is a blood clot in a superficial vein that often occurs in conjunction with inflammation. This blood clot arises due to weakened veins and poor circulation. A person with a superficial blood clot may feel that the veins are tender and experience persistent pain and swollen legs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a more dangerous type of blood clot than thrombophlebitis. One of the dangers of deep vein thrombosis is that the affected person may not notice it. The blood clot can cause the veins to swell and hurt. In the worst-case scenario, the blood clot can dislodge and get stuck again in another place in the body where it is much more dangerous, for example, in the lungs.
Individuals who show symptoms that could be signs of any of the above conditions should immediately seek a doctor for examination.
Reducing the Risk of Dangerous Varicose
Veins There are a number of measures a person with varicose veins can take to avoid the more serious and dangerous conditions that varicose veins can potentially lead to. The onset of varicose veins is strongly linked to weakened valves in the veins in the legs, so any measures to reduce this wear are recommended. One of the best ways to reduce the wear on the venous valves in the legs is to improve blood circulation, which can be achieved through weight loss, increased exercise, reduced sedentary behavior, keeping legs elevated, wearing compression stockings, and avoiding tight clothing around the thighs and hips.
