Varicose veins look like twisted, bulging dark purple or blue swellings in the leg. They commonly appear on the inside or backs of the legs below the knee, but they may extend above the knee as they become worse. Legs may ache, throb and feel heavy, particularly in hot weather and after prolonged standing or sitting. The ankles may swell and the skin over the vein may become dry, itchy and thin. A brown-blue discoloration may develop around the veins and the skin may darken (stasis dermatitis), due to the amount of waste products building up in the legs. Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal and take longer to heal.
As varicose veins prevent the blood flowing properly, other conditions may develop such as deep vein thrombosis and ulcers.
Thrombophlebitis (vein inflammation related to a blood clot) may develop, which will make the affected vein feel like a hard, tender cord, whilst the surrounding tissue will look red and feel hot. Whilst this condition is not dangerous in itself, the sufferer should seek immediate treatment.
Untreated varicose veins can also lead to varicose ulcers, which are slow and difficult to heal. Ulcers are the result of long-term water logging of the tissues, due to the increased pressure of blood within affected veins. They are usually caused by an accidental knock that would normally have no ill effects.
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