If you’ve noticed some new blue lines streaking down your legs, you might be asking yourself: is this normal?
It’s a question that strikes many people around the world as they age. Visible veins on the legs, typically referred to as ‘varicose veins,’ are a common issue that impacts people all over, especially as they grow older.
While that may make it sound as though these veins are ‘normal,’ you might be concerned that your veins are a special case — that your legs veins are dangerous, or that your varicose veins aren’t, in fact, ‘normal.’
We’re vein specialists in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and we’ve seen pretty much every leg vein problem you can see. From this experience, we’re happy to share that — for the most part — leg veins are perfectly normal and nothing to be afraid of.
That said, there are certain circumstances where your leg veins might be a cause for concern.
In this article, we’ll first explain why you’re starting to see veins on your legs. Then, we’ll detail the telltale signs of a dangerous leg vein — and what you can do about it.
Why do I have leg veins?
Everyone is born with veins throughout their legs. It’s how your body delivers blood to your legs, feet, and toes, and without those veins, you’d have a pretty difficult time navigating your everyday life.
However, you’re probably not too concerned about veins within your legs. You’re more likely to be worried about the ‘new’ veins that seem to be popping out of them.
These veins aren’t actually new. Instead, these are veins that were already in your legs, that have sustained some damage. Usually, this damage is simply due to aging, though there are other factors like pregnancy and inactivity that can cause your leg veins to be damaged and become varicose veins.
When your leg veins become damaged, blood pools within them. This causes the vein to swell and become visible through the skin. In some cases, the vein may even pop out from the skin.
Are my leg veins dangerous?
Again, thankfully, your leg veins are typically not dangerous. That said, there are some key problems that can emerge from having visible leg veins.
First, they may be a cosmetic annoyance. Having visible leg veins can hurt your confidence, especially as shorts and skirts weather rolls around. While there are plenty of ways to hide leg veins, you may find that constantly adjusting your outfits to accommodate your veins can weigh heavily on your psyche.
Next, they can become painful. Varicose veins have a tendency to create a burning sensation. They can also itch and cause your legs to feel heavy or sore. Additionally, if you bump or scrape them, it can result in an injury that feels more painful than your usual bump or scrape.
Finally, there is a small but extant risk that varicose veins can lead to blood clots. This can in turn result in more serious issues down the line.
How can I make my leg veins go away?
There is only one way to make your leg veins disappear forever — and we’ll get to it soon!
But first, we should cover how to prevent further leg veins from developing.
As one of the risk factors for varicose veins is inactivity, you might consider adding more exercise to your life. We’ve previously documented some simple exercises you can do at home, but even just adding a long walk or a quick run to your everyday schedule can do wonders for varicose vein prevention.
You may also consider refraining from wearing tight clothing. Tight clothing has been linked to varicose vein development, so opting for looser fitting pants or a flowing skirt or dress may help stop your legs from developing further varicose veins.
Lastly, you can purchase a fitted pair of compression stockings. Compression stockings help improve blood flow in the legs. This can assist in stopping your veins from becoming damaged.
But if you want the veins you already have to be gone for good, there’s only one option: vein treatment.
Vein treatment is quick, relatively pain-free, and boasts a fast recovery time. In fact, at our clinic, the overwhelming majority of patients are able to return to work or their everyday lives on the same day!
If you’re curious about vein treatment, want to schedule an appointment, or simply have more questions, reach out to us today!