Varicose veins symptoms are easy to recognize. The most familiar form of varicose veins develop downward either or in both large veins near the leg surface. The typical varicose veins symptoms are aching, disfigurement, itching, vein inflammation, bleeding and ulcers. Varicose veins develop slowly but once they start appear, progression seems to be faster. People with varicose veins are those between the ages of 30 and 60. The condition appears in women four times more than in men. Varicose veins are said to develop or get worse when a woman is pregnant due to more pressure from the uterus against the pelvic and leg veins, elevated blood volume and varying hormones.
Aching in your legs as well as a heavy feeling and a feeling of congestion when you sit or stand for a long time is one of the most common of the many varicose veins symptoms. Aching and heavy legs can get worse at night and after exercising. Cramps may also develop when making a sudden movement such as when standing up. However, varicose veins usually do not cause pain. Spider veins or telangiectasia may also appear in the affected leg. Minor injuries near the area where varicose veins appear may bleed more than the normal and may even take time to heal.
Another evident symptom is the bulging of the veins such that these veins appear twisted for either a portion or even at the entire length of your leg. There may also be a slight outline of bluish veins. A severe case of varicose veins may manifest swelling of the skin covering your leg. The skin covering may also appear dry and irritated. A brownish discoloration may appear in your own leg after a number of years.
Itching occurs when your skin starts to dry and irritated over the vein. An inflammation of the vein may appear as an engorgement of a section of the vein with blood. The swollen section appears to be firm, red and tender especially after long periods of sitting and standing. This condition is usually referred as phlebitis. Skin above the ankle may also shrink since the fat underneath the skin becomes hard. This condition is called lipodermatosclerosis.
Bleeding of the varicose veins is uncommon but a cut due to a sharp object can cause bleeding since varicose veins are large near the surface of the skin while often covered by a thin layer of skin. Open sores may also be considered varicose veins symptoms and usually appear near the ankle where swelling usually develops. Whitened, irregular scar like patches known as atrophie blanche may also be seen at the ankles.