Varicose veinsare enlarged, swollen veins visible beneath the skin’s surface.
They’re most commonly located on the legs but can appear virtually anywhere on the body.
This article discusses varicose vein pain, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention.
Ekaterina Rekina / Getty Images
Ekaterina Rekina / Getty Images
What Causes Varicose Vein Pain?
As part of the bodyscirculatory system, the veins in your legs carry blood to the heart.
What Other Issues Affect Varicose Vein Pain?
Varicose veins are also linked to other skin and circulatory issues and complications.
Lymphedema can also lead to inflammatory skin conditionsand other complications.
This helps reduce pain and swelling and lowers the chances of developing a blood clot.
However, compression stockings won’t help lessen the appearance of varicose veins.
Elevate Your Legs
Elevating your legs can help reduce the pressure on the varicose veins.
Raising your legs above heart level for 15 minutes three to four times dailycanimprove blood flowback to the heart.
Low-impact activities like walking and swimming may be a good place to start.
After showering, keep yourlegs moisturized, particularly if your varicose vein pain comes withdry or scaly skin.
Seeking out treatment early can help limit pain and avoid potential complications.
Sclerotherapy
As a standard option for treating varicose veins,sclerotherapyinvolves injecting chemicals into the veins.
Surgery
A surgical procedure known as vein ligation or stripping may be recommended for severe varicose veins.
A healthcare provider removes the veins through small incisions in the skin nearthe vein.
This is typically performed in an outpatient medical center with sedation.
In-office medical procedures are available to help eliminate varicose veins and the pain that often accompanies them.
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