Varicose veins are one of the most common vein conditions, typically found in the legs and appearing as twisted, bulging, swollen veins. They can appear in other areas of your body, such as your arms or groin. People are often primarily concerned about the cosmetic appearance of varicose veins, but they can also be associated with other painful symptoms as well as potentially serious health conditions such as blood clots.
It’s essential to be aware of early stage varicose veins symptoms and treatment options so you can act early and minimise their impact on your health and wellbeing. Vein Care clinic in Melbourne specialises in providing minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments for varicose veins, ranging from lifestyle recommendations to injection and laser-based therapies. Here, we look at some of the signs of early stage varicose veins and your available treatment options.
Overview of Varicose Veins Symptoms
Veins are an important part of your body’s circulatory system, being responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood all around your body back to your heart so it can pick up more oxygen. When the valves in your veins weaken or become damaged, blood can begin pooling in the veins rather than flowing through them, resulting in swollen, enlarged veins. Some of the most common, tell-tale symptoms of varicose veins include:
- The appearance of bulging blue or purple veins under the skin
- Localised pain, soreness and aching
- A feeling of heaviness in your legs
- Muscle cramping, especially at night
- Burning or throbbing sensations in your legs
- Redness, discolouration, skin hardening or skin ulcers
Symptoms commonly vary depending on the patient and individual circumstances. Some people notice symptoms around the clock while others notice them at the end of the day or after long periods of standing or sitting in one place.
Early Stage Varicose Veins Signs
Varicose veins don’t immediately appear as bulging, swollen and sore: the condition develops over several stages. Detecting them early on requires monitoring changes in your skin and body. As varicose veins may cause issues like itching and skin discoloration, initial symptoms can often be misdiagnosed as dermatological problems.
Itchy Legs and Ankles
During the early stages of developing varicose veins, you may start noticing itching, especially closer to the lower calf and ankle. This itchiness is often a result of blood pooling in veins which causes swelling underneath the skin, which in turn leads to skin being stretched. Itchiness can also occur due to
- increased histamine production as your body tries to heal the varicose veins, or
- from fluid leakage from the varicose vein to nearby tissue.
Avoid scratching itchy areas on your skin as this can result in infection. Instead, you can find short-term relief using topical creams or lotions or explore other tactics like targeted exercises, compression stockings and leg elevation. It’s best to get advice to determine whether the itchiness is caused by varicose veins and, if so, to receive tailored remedies which will address the root cause of the issue.
Shiny Skin
Before symptoms like pain and noticeably bulging varicose veins appear, it is possible that you’ll notice an unusual shine to your skin. Other times, your skin may look like it’s peeling, or you might notice an unnatural pigmentation on your legs. These can be signs that varicose veins are forming under the surface. Small lifestyle changes can help in some cases; elevating your feet and wearing compression stockings may help prevent varicose veins symptoms from worsening.
Red Spots
Light red spots that appear near your calves, ankles and feet are another early warning sign of varicose veins. These spots could indicate weakened or damaged blood vessels. This can mean your circulatory system isn’t working efficiently and that you are at risk of developing varicose veins at some point in the future. It’s a good idea to get a diagnosis from a professional vein doctor who will assess whether these are in fact symptoms of varicose veins or something else.
Swollen Feet
Another early stage varicose vein symptom is swollen feet. Occasionally your feet may swell up after a long day of standing, but if it happens regularly, then it could be a sign of a circulatory issue, elevating your risk of developing varicose veins. This is especially true if swelling is paired with other symptoms listed above.
Post-Work Aches
If you consistently experience aching legs after work or exercise, it could be another sign of circulatory issues that increase your risk of varicose veins. This is especially true if your feet and legs didn’t get that sore in the past and if there is any swelling or warm, itchy sensations along with aches.
Understanding Moderate and Severe Varicose Veins
Following the early stages of varicose veins, the condition progresses into the moderate stage where you may notice visibly bulging veins start to appear. These tend to be accompanied by other symptoms like soreness, aching and heaviness. Once the condition enters the advanced stage, symptoms often increase in severity and come with heightened health risks, such as the possibility of developing venous leg ulcers or deep vein thrombosis.
How the condition progresses depends on the kinds of symptoms you’re experiencing. Itchy varicose veins, for example, can eventually result in hard and browning skin or infections in areas that have been scratched or where fluid has leaked. Progression of symptoms also depends on the cause of varicose veins and any contributing risk factors.
What Factors Increase the Risk of Developing Varicose Veins?
Your chance of developing varicose veins is influenced by a range of factors, some we can control and others that we can’t. This includes:
- Ageing: As we grow older, our blood vessels, skin and muscles naturally weaken, increasing the possibility of developing varicose veins.
- Genetics: Close to 50% of people who develop varicose veins have a family history of the condition.
- Excess Weight: Carrying more body weight puts additional pressure on your veins, making it harder for blood to flow back to your heart.
- Sitting or Standing for Long Periods: Maintaining the same position for too long too often can limit blood flow and cause circulatory issues like varicose veins.
- Damaged Veins: If your veins have been damaged through an injury or another health condition, it increases your likelihood of developing vein conditions.
Women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) are also more likely to develop varicose veins. Hormonal changes such as menopause can cause issues with the circulatory system. Pregnancy also increases blood volume while constricting blood flow from the legs, increasing the risk of varicose veins.
What’s the Best Treatment for Varicose Veins?
The best treatment for varicose veins largely depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing, the stage or severity of the condition and your personal preferences and needs. For some patients, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic issue while others experience painful symptoms. With modern treatment plans available, varicose veins surgery isn’t always required. Instead, you can opt for minimally invasive treatments, such as:
- Sclerotherapy and Microsclerotherapy: These treatments involve the injection of a specialised solution into the vein using a micro-needle that causes the vein wall to be cleansed, sealed and collapsed before your body naturally absorbs the remaining tissue.
- Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: This uses the same injection method as sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy but is completed under ultrasound guidance for increased accuracy. This may be used when varicose veins are more numerous or difficult to find.
- Endovenous Laser Therapy: Typically used for larger varicose veins, this advanced laser procedure heats the vein in order to shrink and close it. Like sclerotherapy, this results in the problem vein dissolving and being absorbed by the body so blood can instead flow through nearby healthier veins.
- Cyanoacrylate Vein Glue: This treatment involves injecting tiny volumes of medical-grade super glues under ultrasound guidance, which causes the varicose vein to seal off and blood is no longer able to pool.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Typically used to target severe, visibly bulging varicose veins, this minor varicose veins surgery removes problem veins by pulling them out with a special hook through tiny incisions. Unlike other procedures like surgical stripping, this treatment is still minimally invasive with the incisions being small enough that stitches are not required.
These treatments have minimal side effects and can be completed in between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours under local anaesthetic. You can return to most regular activities immediately and full results will be visible in 2 to 6 weeks. Your vein doctor will schedule a follow up appointment to ensure the procedure was successful and determine whether any other treatments are required.
Varicose Vein Treatments in Melbourne
While prevention is ideal, if you do notice early signs of varicose veins like red spots, itchiness and/ or shiny skin, consult a professional for a thorough diagnosis, advice and treatment plan if necessary. Here at Vein Care in Melbourne, we specialise in detecting early stage varicose veins symptoms and treatment plans are tailored to suit your individual circumstances, working to restore your comfort, confidence and wellness. Book an appointment today by calling us on 1300 730 100 or contacting us online.
