Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsOther Pain CausesHow to Find ReliefMedical TreatmentsPreventionWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Other Pain Causes
How to Find Relief
Medical Treatments
Prevention
When to Seek Medical Care
Varicose veinsare enlarged, swollen veins visible beneath the skin’s surface. They’re most commonly located on the legs but can appear virtually anywhere on the body.
Many people experience pain with varicose veins, but, fortunately, there are some methods for treating and preventing the discomfort.
This article discusses varicose vein pain, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention.
Ekaterina Rekina / Getty Images
What Causes Varicose Vein Pain?
As part of the body’scirculatory system, the veins in your legs carry blood to the heart. But when veins become weak or damaged, some blood can flow backward, often collecting(pooling) in one area.
The increased pressure causes pain in the leg that can be described as:
Painful varicose veins are more likely in situations whereblood pressureis increased. This can happen with factors like:
In addition, people with a family history of varicose veins may have a greater chance of developing them.
Other Symptoms Associated with Varicose Vein Pain
Varicose vein paincan range from mild to severe and may worsen while standing or sitting for long periods.It’s often described as follows:
In addition, you may notice other symptoms, such as:
Data show that people assigned female at birth are more likely than people assigned male at birth to report having varicose vein-related symptoms on the lower legs.
What Other Issues Affect Varicose Vein Pain?
Varicose veins are also linked to other skin and circulatory issues and complications.
Lymphedema
Research has suggested a link betweenlymphedema, a swelling usually affecting the arms or legs, and varicose veins.
Because varicose veins cause swelling and can negatively impact thelymphatic system(blood vessels throughout the body that help remove toxins), it can potentially trigger extreme leg swelling. Lymphedema can also lead to inflammatory skin conditionsand other complications.
Dermatitis
The increased pressure that varicose veins cause can trigger swelling, itching, skin discoloration, and an inflammatory skin condition known asdermatitis. While the uncomfortable symptoms of both varicose veins and dermatitis usually can be controlled with at-home and medical treatments, dermatitis also has the potential to lead to bleeding, ulcers, and serious skin infections.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
Severe varicose veins can cause blood clots.Superficialthrombophlebitis(inflammation due to a small clot in the vein) can impact varicose veins in the legs.If treated properly, this condition can resolve on its own, but ablood clotthat’s deeper within the vein could lead todeep vein thrombosis(DVT).
How to Find Relief From Varicose Vein Pain
Mild cases of varicose vein pain can be managed usingat-home remedies, like lifestyle tweaks and self-care measures.
Compression Stockings
Wearing compression stockings (specially made, tight-fitting socks) can help apply gentle pressure to the leg area, prompting blood flow back toward the heart.
This helps reduce pain and swelling and lowers the chances of developing a blood clot. However, compression stockings won’t help lessen the appearance of varicose veins.
Whenpicking compression socks, you’ll need to consider the level of compression needed and the material that will be the most comfortable for you to wear consistently.
Elevate Your Legs
Elevating your legs can help reduce the pressure on the varicose veins. Raising your legs above heart level for 15 minutes three to four times dailycanimprove blood flowback to the heart.
Exercise and Stretch Your Legs
Exercise can help you stay at a healthy body weight and keep blood pumping through your legs. Low-impact activities like walking and swimming may be a good place to start.
Also, stretch your legs every 30 minutes if sitting for a long time, and take a break from periods of standing every 30 minutes can help, too.
Bathe in Cool Water
Experts generally advise staying away from long sessions in hot tubs or hot baths to help reduce varicose vein pain and other symptoms.However,cold or cooler bathscan help improve circulation, cut down on inflammation, and help relieve pain.
After showering, keep yourlegs moisturized, particularly if your varicose vein pain comes withdry or scaly skin.
Medical Treatments for Varicose Vein Pain
In severe cases, varicose vein pain can worsen or limit your activities, and amedical treatment planmay be necessary. Seeking out treatment early can help limit pain and avoid potential complications.
Ablation
Radiofrequency ablationis sometimes recommended to treat larger or more widespread varicose veins.This minimally invasive procedure involves making a small incision and inserting a tool to apply energy or heat to the inside of a vein, causing it to collapse and shut off.
It may take up to a year for the vein to completely disappear, and more than one treatment session may be necessary.
Sclerotherapy
As a standard option for treating varicose veins,sclerotherapyinvolves injecting chemicals into the veins. This causes the vein to seal itself shut and eventually disappear.Two or three treatments may be needed, and it can take up to four months to see results.
Surgery
A surgical procedure known as vein ligation or stripping may be recommended for severe varicose veins. A healthcare provider removes the veins through small incisions in the skin nearthe vein.
This is typically performed in an outpatient medical center with sedation. A recovery period of a few weeks is generally needed before you can resume your normal activities.
How to Prevent Varicose Veins
Experts recommend improving your circulation to help prevent new varicose veins from forming. This includes tactics such as:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If your varicose vein pain isn’t improving with at-home remedies or if it seems to be worsening, check with a healthcare provider for other treatment options. Consider seeking medical attention if you notice the following:
Summary
Varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, and other uncomfortable sensations in the legs. While lifestyle changes like using compression stockings and staying active may bring some relief, see a healthcare provider if you notice worsening pain, skin sores, or a sudden increase in inflammation. In-office medical procedures are available to help eliminate varicose veins and the pain that often accompanies them.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Varicose veins.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;99(11):682-688Piazza G.Varicose veins.Circulation. 2014;130(7):582-7. doi:10.1161/circulationha.113.008331Vignes S.Traitement des varices et lymphœdèmes des membres [Treatment of varicose veins and limb lymphedema].J Mal Vasc. 2014 Feb;39(1):57-61. French. doi:10.1016/j.jmv.2013.11.003Yosipovitch G et al.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2023 Mar;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039American Academy of Dermatology.Leg veins: Why they appear and how dermatologists treat them.Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L.Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body.N Am J Med Sci. 2014 May;6(5):199-209. doi:10.4103/1947-2714UCSF Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.Varicose veins.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Varicose veins.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;99(11):682-688Piazza G.Varicose veins.Circulation. 2014;130(7):582-7. doi:10.1161/circulationha.113.008331Vignes S.Traitement des varices et lymphœdèmes des membres [Treatment of varicose veins and limb lymphedema].J Mal Vasc. 2014 Feb;39(1):57-61. French. doi:10.1016/j.jmv.2013.11.003Yosipovitch G et al.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2023 Mar;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039American Academy of Dermatology.Leg veins: Why they appear and how dermatologists treat them.Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L.Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body.N Am J Med Sci. 2014 May;6(5):199-209. doi:10.4103/1947-2714UCSF Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.Varicose veins.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Varicose veins.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;99(11):682-688Piazza G.Varicose veins.Circulation. 2014;130(7):582-7. doi:10.1161/circulationha.113.008331Vignes S.Traitement des varices et lymphœdèmes des membres [Treatment of varicose veins and limb lymphedema].J Mal Vasc. 2014 Feb;39(1):57-61. French. doi:10.1016/j.jmv.2013.11.003Yosipovitch G et al.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2023 Mar;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039American Academy of Dermatology.Leg veins: Why they appear and how dermatologists treat them.Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L.Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body.N Am J Med Sci. 2014 May;6(5):199-209. doi:10.4103/1947-2714UCSF Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.Varicose veins.
MedlinePlus.Varicose veins.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.
Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;99(11):682-688
Piazza G.Varicose veins.Circulation. 2014;130(7):582-7. doi:10.1161/circulationha.113.008331
Vignes S.Traitement des varices et lymphœdèmes des membres [Treatment of varicose veins and limb lymphedema].J Mal Vasc. 2014 Feb;39(1):57-61. French. doi:10.1016/j.jmv.2013.11.003
Yosipovitch G et al.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2023 Mar;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5
Nasr H, Scriven JM.Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis).BMJ. 2015;350(jun22 6). doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039
American Academy of Dermatology.Leg veins: Why they appear and how dermatologists treat them.
Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L.Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body.N Am J Med Sci. 2014 May;6(5):199-209. doi:10.4103/1947-2714
UCSF Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.Varicose veins.
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