Just because varicose veins are common, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ignore them.

If you’ve noticed some varicose veins on your legs recently, don’t panic. Many people notice varicose veins in their earliest stages. They appear as twisted, bulging blue or purple veins, generally first appearing on the legs.

For some people, varicose veins will forever remain simply a cosmetic concern. But for others, varicose veins could be a sign of underlying vein disease — which can, in turn, cause swelling, skin discoloration, pain, and more.

We’re practicing vein experts in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. In our practice, we see patients at all sorts of varicose vein stages, from barely forming to a bird’s nest of blue and purple. 

Given that untreated varicose veins can become more prominent, and that more varicose veins can come over time, many wonder: When should I see a vein specialist for varicose veins?

The short answer is that you should schedule an evaluation if your veins hurt, if your legs are swelling, if your symptoms interfere with your daily life, or if you notice changes in the skin around your varicose veins. If a varicose vein bleeds, suddenly becomes painful, or is associated with a non-healing sore, you should urgently seek care.

Still, there’s more to the story here. In this piece, we’ll explore everything you need to know.

Varicose Veins Are Not Always Just Cosmetic

A varicose vein is a vein that is not working properly. To summarize, veins have valves. These allow blood to move upward from the legs toward the heart. When the valves weaken or leak, blood can begin to pool in the vein. This can cause it to stretch, enlarge, and become visible through the skin.

As previously mentioned, for some people, varicose veins are symptomless beyond what’s visible. They will have prominent blue-purple veins on their legs for the rest of their lives — varicose veins don’t go away by themselves — but they will see no other side effects.

However, others will experience one or more of a litany of symptoms associated with varicose veins. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, itching, heaviness, cramping, swelling (especially after prolonged sitting or standing), and burning. 

Those experiencing these symptoms may find temporary relief by elevating their legs, walking, or using compression stockings. That said, those looking to get rid of their varicose vein issues should consider vein treatment.

Signs You Should Schedule a Vein Evaluation

There are two categories here: 1) “You should see a vein specialist,” and 2) “You should see a vein specialist immediately.”

The first category is largely based on your experience with your varicose veins. Generally speaking, we would suggest seeing a vein specialist if you have leg fatigue, pain, heaviness, veins that appear to grow larger, skin discoloration, restless legs, or any of the host of other symptoms that come with varicose veins.

In short, if you find that your varicose veins are interrupting your everyday life — even if it’s just because you don’t like looking at them — we would suggest booking a consultation with a vein specialist.

How do you know if your varicose veins are dangerous? It’s difficult to say. While your varicose veins may not be a problem right now, they can always get worse. Minor pain today can become major pain tomorrow — which is why we suggest handling the issue as soon as you start noticing symptoms. 

However, if your varicose vein begins to bleed, is suddenly in a substantial amount of pain, or is connected to a non-healing sore, we suggest seeking medical attention as soon as possible. A sudden area of redness, warmth, swelling, or pain over a vein should also be evaluated. These symptoms do not always mean a deep blood clot is present, but a vein professional can determine the seriousness of the issue and respond accordingly.

Treatment Is Easier Than You Think

You might be putting off getting an evaluation because you think that treatment is going to be painful or time-consuming. 

Thankfully, modern vein procedures are largely low-pain and require very little time to complete. Many of our patients are able to return to work or their other daily activities on the same day as their appointment.

If you’re interested in finally tackling your varicose vein issues, or you just have some questions about potential solutions, reach out to us today and schedule a consultation. We’ll work with you and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.