Should I be concerned?
Varicose and spider veins might not always require medical treatment. If varicose veins make walking or standing painful, you should call your doctor for advice.
You should also call your doctor if a sore develops on or near a varicose vein, or if your feet or ankles swell.
In some cases, varicose veins can be harmful to your health because they might be associated with the development of:
- Venous stasis ulcers : These ulcers result when the enlarged vein does not provide enough drainage of fluid from the skin. The skin does not receive enough oxygen and an ulcer (skin sore) might form.
- Phlebitis : Inflammation of the vein.
- Thrombosis : Development of blood clots that form in the dilated vein.