What are the Early Stage Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Early Stage Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Early detection of developing varicose veins can make a huge difference in how quickly and successfully you can have them treated by a varicose vein expert. This means paying close attention to your body — both how it feels and how it looks and taking action right away if anything seems abnormal, or even slightly different than the norm.

By catching your varicose vein symptoms in the beginning, you can prevent them from becoming more of a problem, and in turn, prevent your varicose veins from worsening or developing into a more serious health concern, such as deep vein thrombosis or other venous conditions and diseases.

Varicose Veins are Visible

Everyone has veins, and they are especially noticeable in areas where skin is thinner, i.e., the inside of the arms, backs of the hands and tops of the feet. These visible veins might not necessarily be varicose veins; they may simply just be more prominent for reasons such as having low body fat, a family history of visible veins, being an athlete or doing strength training exercises often, and even the temperature outside can have an affect on how much we can see veins through the surface of the skin.

It’s when these visible veins are paired with uncomfortable side effects such as aches, tenderness, swelling, excess itching or bleeding, or begin to look raised and/or different than usual, that they could indicate the development of varicose veins.

How Varicose Veins Occur

Varicose veins occur when the valves of the veins become weak or damaged, and no longer allow blood to flow through the veins back toward the heart. Instead, the blood pools at the bottom of the veins, which makes the vein start to swell and cause discomfort in the affected area of the body.

These are the early stage symptoms of varicose veins to watch out for:

Discoloration: Varicose veins will look darker than their usual coloring, usually a dark purple or blue color. The skin around the affected veins may also start to change color. Sometimes the skin appears unnaturally shiny, or peels for no apparent reason. Some people also notice red spots on the lower legs, which could be an indication of burst blood vessels in the legs.

Bulging: Varicose veins look like ropes or cords that are twisted and bulging out of the skin. This is the main cosmetic concern when it comes to varicose veins. Some patients never experience physically painful symptoms but are still very bothered by the outward appearance of their veins.

Aches and Pains: Varicose veins can cause feelings of achiness or heaviness in the legs, even as seemingly normal physical activity like walking or climbing stairs. Legs may cramp more easily, or start to burn, throb, or itch. The pain can sometimes feel worse after sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Swelling: People whose feet and/or legs swell at the end of the day are often more prone to developing varicose veins because this usually indicates that there is a blood circulation problem. Swelling is a telltale sign that varicose veins could become a problem, but if you catch it early enough and wear compression stockings or socks, you can slow the development or even prevent them entirely.

Once you begin to notice any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is notify your healthcare provider right away. The next step would be to schedule a consultation with a vein expert who can properly diagnose your vein condition, and perform the necessary treatments. The earlier the symptoms are caught and brought to a vein doctor’s attention, the more likely it is that they can be treated in a very simple manner.

Contact us at Fox Vein & Laser Experts

At Fox Vein & Laser Experts, we offer best-in-class varicose vein treatment options, both non-invasive and very minimally invasive, with little to no downtime, pain, or side effects. If you are experiencing symptoms of varicose veins, or know that you are at high risk for developing varicose veins, we are here to help. Call our office at 954-627-1045 or click here to use our online scheduler and book an appointment with our team of vein experts.