Avoiding the point of no return

Dr Tan Kia Lean, consultant vascular surgeon at Ara Damansara Medical Centre, says varicose veins generally occur unilaterally, which is on one leg instead of both legs at the same time. While varicose veins do not cause problems to a person’s way of life most of the time, lack of treatment can cause symptoms to be exacerbated and potentially create permanent disfigurement to the skin. He illustrates the different stages of varicose veins: Stage 1 – No symptoms.

Stage 2 – Spider veins can be seen. Some may feel restlessness in their leg.

Stage 3 – Leg starts to swell (oedema). Patients may start feeling heaviness in the legs, and find it more difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time. A burning or itchy sensation can also be felt, caused by micro-lacerations in the skin from the swelling of the leg.

Stage 4a – Pigmentation starts to develop on the skin. Darker skin patients will notice a lighter discolouration on their skin.

Stage 4b – Skin starts to harden in affected areas.

Stage 5 – Pigmented, hardened skin with healed ulcer

Stage 6 – Non-healing ulcers start forming on the affected areas as blood flow has been obstructed for a longer period of time.

Dr Tan urges patients to seek treatment earlier as damage to your skin can be permanent once it goes past stage 4. “While varicose veins are treatable even in its later stages, the previous damage to the skin may never heal. Hence, it is better to treat it earlier. Your quality of life is improved as well as your legs will feel more comfortable.”