Look at your legs
Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged or bulging veins that protrude from the legs, explains Professor Mark Whiteley, consultant venous surgeon at The Whiteley Clinic. ‘Typical varicose veins are either slightly green or colourless and appear as large bumps when you stand and sit, but disappear when you lie down,’ he says. ‘There are also “hidden varicose veins”, found with a duplex ultrasound scan,’ he adds. Other symptoms of varicose veins can include: - Heavy legs that feel tired and achy. - A change in skin colour or texture. - Lower-leg muscle cramps. - Swollen ankles or feet.
So how do the other visible veins on our legs differ from the varicose variety?
‘Veins that are green or blue that can be seen, but do not bulge significantly when standing, are called reticular veins,’ says Professor Whiteley. These are typically smaller than varicose veins. ‘The little strings of thread veins – or spider veins as they’re often known – are called telangiectasia. These affect approximately 80% of men and women and are the most common type of abnormal leg vein,’ he explains.
Treating spider veins is considered a cosmetic procedure, so isn’t normally available on the NHS.
Microsclerotherapy is a common and painless private treatment however, that involves injecting the veins to permanently destroy the dilated blood vessels.