Varicose veins – they are also called varicosities. This is a medical condition when your veins become swollen, twisted, and overfilled with blood. Any superficial vein might convert into a varicose vein, but the veins in your legs and feet are most commonly affected. Sometimes they are surrounded by flooded capillary patches called spider veins and are considered as superficial varicose veins.

This condition occurs if the veins’ valves allow ineffective blood flow or flow the blood in the wrong direction(reverse) due to improper functioning.

Symptoms Of Varicose Veins

In most of the cases, varicose veins don’t cause any discomfort; they might be just a cosmetic glitch. The signs that you are having varicose veins include:

• Discolouration of veins – dark purple or blue in colour
• Highly visible due to swelling and twisting of veins, often looks like cords on your legs.

In some cases, they are painful, and the signs and symptoms include:

• Painful legs
• Heavy feeling in your legs, especially night time
• Burning and throbbing sensation
• Muscle cramps and swelling of lower legs
• Pain increases after sitting or standing for more time
• Itching around your veins
• Lipodermatosclerosis
• Swollen ankles
• Venous eczema (stasis dermatitis)
• Skin colour changes around the varicose vein
• Irresistible urge to move your legs(Restless legs syndrome)

Spider veins and varicose veins share some similarities, but they are different. Spider veins look in red or blue colour and appear closer to the skin surface. Spider veins often look like a spider’s web; they vary in size and commonly found on the face and legs.