Book Free Consultation

Treatments

Conditions

★★★★★
Over 59,645 patients agree
The Harley Street Skin Clinic

Expert care for a wide range of skin conditions, ensuring healthy, radiant skin.

Lesions & Bumps

Comprehensive care for skin lesions and bumps, promoting clear and healthy skin.

Lifting & Tightening

Advanced treatments to lift and lighten the skin, enhancing firmness and brightness.

Rejuvenation

Revitalize your skin with advanced treatments designed to restore a youthful glow.

Skin Treatments

Effective solutions for a variety of skin concerns, promoting clear and healthy skin.

Wellness

Holistic skincare approaches to support overall skin health and well-being.

Advanced, non-invasive treatments to rejuvenate your appearance without surgery.

Body Treatments

Transformative, non-invasive treatments to sculpt and tone your body effortlessly.

Facial Treatments

Rejuvenating facial treatments to refresh and enhance your natural radiance.

Hair Treatments

Advanced treatments to restore hair vitality and promote healthy growth.

Injectables

Minimally invasive injectables to smooth wrinkles and enhance facial contours.

Precision cosmetic surgery tailored to enhance and refine your natural beauty.

Body Surgery

Expertly performed body surgeries to reshape, contour, and enhance your physique.

Breast Surgery

Specialized breast surgeries to enhance shape, size, and symmetry for a natural look.

Cosmetic Andrology

Advanced procedures designed to enhance male aesthetics and address intimate concerns.

Cosmetic Gynaecology

Tailored surgical solutions to enhance feminine aesthetics and improve intimate well-being.

Facial Surgery

Precision facial surgeries to refine features and achieve natural, balanced results.

Fat Transfer/Removal

Advanced fat transfer and removal techniques to sculpt and enhance your body’s contours.

Comprehensive solutions to address a range of body concerns, from stubborn fat to skin laxity.

Breasts

Tailored solutions for breast concerns, including size, shape, and symmetry.

Other Areas

Targeted solutions for stubborn areas of the body, tailored to your unique needs.

Volume & Contouring

Specialized treatments to enhance body volume and improve overall contour for a balanced silhouette.

Holistic care focused on improving overall health and well-being for a balanced lifestyle.

Digestive Health

Comprehensive care to support digestive health and improve overall well-being.

Energy & Immunity

Holistic approaches to boost energy levels and strengthen your immune system for optimal health.

General Health

Personalized strategies to maintain and enhance your overall health and vitality.

Expert care for a wide variety of skin and facial concerns, promoting a healthy, glowing complexion.

Ageing Signs

Expert treatments to minimize ageing signs, rejuvenating your skin for a youthful glow.

Skin Texture & Tone

Advanced treatments to improve skin texture and even out tone for a smoother, radiant complexion.

Specific Areas

Targeted treatments to address skin concerns in specific facial areas for balanced, refined results.

Volume & Contouring

Tailored solutions to restore facial volume and enhance natural contours for a more youthful appearance.

View All

Home Body Concerns Other Areas Leg Veins

Condition: Leg Veins

Leg Veins symptoms
& causes

Say goodbye to ageing

★★★★★

Over 59,645 patients agree

Book Free Consultation

or Request a Callback

Medically reviewed by Dr Aamer Khan

16th January 2025

The condition

Leg Discomfort

Understanding Leg discomfort

Why do leg veins bulge?

So, what are leg veins? They are the blood vessels that move blood from your legs back to your heart. These veins have valves, which are essentially like one-way gates transporting blood in the correct direction. What happens when these valves either fail or become weak? Blood starts to pool, and the veins will bulge and twist. As a result, varicose veins develop and spider web veins are formed.

There are a number of reasons varicose veins can appear. Genetics plays into it to some degree too. If you have had family members with vein issues, then you may be more at risk. Ageing also has a part to play, as veins lose their elasticity as we get older. Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause, can also be contributing. Also, prolonged standing or sitting can be associated with extra burden on the veins. All these elements can contribute to the emergence of those unsightly and sometimes painful veins.

What are the types of leg veins?

Varicose Veins: Varicose veins are large, swollen veins that are present near the skin’s surface. They are most often found on the legs and may cause some discomfort or pain.
Spider Vein: Tiny veins just under the skin, named for their spider-web-like appearance. They are frequently red or blue and may resemble spider legs. They’re not as bad as varicose veins but are still noticeable.

Symptoms
When to See a Doctor
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention

Free Consultation

Condition: Leg Veins

Contents

Free Consultation

The symptoms

Large veins

Large, twisted veins that can be seen under the skin — legs are the most common site.

Pain

Legs that ache or throb, especially when you stand or sit for long periods of time.

Swelling

Leg or ankle swelling.

Itching

Burning or itchy sensation at vein areas.

Cramps

Leg muscle cramps or spasms (especially at night)

Discoloration

Change in colour or appearance of the skin overlying a vein.

Tired legs

Legs that feel heavy or fatigued after some activities all day.

When to see a doctor?

Spot Vein Alerts

Indicators for serious vein issues

When should I be concerned about varicose veins?

You will need to see a doctor straight away in case you notice the following serious complications:

Dark skin patches: If the skin colour of your lower leg or ankle is darker than that of the surrounding area.
Changes in the skin: You may notice deep, rough skin that feels hard, dry, and scaly or itchy red skin, as with eczema.
Skin ulcers: red, fluid- or pus-filled sores but not injury-related. Often as a result of chronic venous insufficiency, these ulcers develop due to damaged skin tissue and non-healing wounds caused by poor circulation in the legs.
Bleeding Veins: A varicose vein that begins to bleed.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Deep vein thrombosis can cause pain and swelling in each leg but may not demonstrate any noticeable symptoms. Be aware of swelling in your calf, leg cramps or soreness, red or discoloured skin, and heat when you touch the leg. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition because it can cause dangerous blood clots that could go to your lungs.

Advised treatments

Sclerotherapy

Body Treatment

The causes

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins do not function properly. These valves usually allow blood to flow in one direction only through the heart. However, they can become weak or damaged, and when that happens, you get pooling of blood, which eventually causes the vein walls to bulge and twist. With time, this leads to the raised, commonly awkward varicose veins.

The risk factors

What makes you likely to get varicose veins?

Ageing. The older you get, the more likely is it that your vein valves will weaken, leading to larger varicose veins too.
Family history. You have a greater risk for developing varicose veins if they are common in your family.
Gender. The hormonal change during pregnancy, menstruation, or the menopause makes women more vulnerable to develop varicose veins too.
Pregnancy. Veins enlarge because there is more blood volume and pressure with an incoming baby.
Obesity. The excess of weight adds extra stress to your veins, especially on the legs area.
Prolonged standing and sitting. Typically, standing or sitting too long can squeeze on blood flow and cause varicose veins.
Lack of exercise. Moving less than you should, encourages weakening of your veins and this will increase the risk of bulging veins.
Previous leg injuries. If you have had previous injuries to your legs, that can harm veins and increase the chances of having varicose veins.

The complications

Quality Of Life

Hidden dangers

Skin ulcers:
As a collateral effect, the skin near varicose veins, particularly around the ankles, can lead to painful sores. Frequently, a discoloured area may develop before the ulcer itself.
Chronic pain:
A general sense of aching, heaviness, tiredness, or discomfort only in the legs.
Skin changes:
Skin around veins changes colour or it thickens.

Blood clots:
Sometimes, veins in your legs may become enlarged, causing pain and swelling. One blood clot indication you should be aware of is if the pain or swelling becomes chronic.
Vein rupture:
Veins near the surface may be divided, and typically blood oozes out. Although it is typically mild, seeking medical advice is still a good idea.
Leg swelling:
Over time, varicose veins can also trigger swelling in your legs. Swelling indicates another issue. It is certainly worth checking with your doctor for more to diagnose varicose vein problems.

The prevention

Active Legs Thrive

How does regular exercise prevent varicose veins?

By staying active and regularly exercising, your blood flows, particularly in the legs. This keeps it from settling in one spot and stresses your veins. Some of the most effective exercises to help you improve blood flow and prevent varicose veins are simple activities such as walking and biking that build up your leg muscles.

Achieve healthy legs

Include blood circulation exercise in your daily routine to help pump that blood back up from the lower legs and improve muscle tone. Squats, walking, cycling, and lunges strengthen your legs. Including yoga and stretching in your workout routine will improve flexibility and prevent muscle tightness. Doing exercises like these regularly will keep your legs healthy and can even prevent further issues.

Lighten Vein Load

Why is a healthy weight important for reducing vein pressure?

Any extra weight you carry stresses your legs even further, and this will eventually weaken your veins. If you’ll be putting less strain on your legs, that means your veins will work better. It also helps stop blood from pooling, which will decrease the chance of getting varicose veins.

Diet recommendation

Eat high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains if you have varicose veins in order to avoid constipation and reduce vein pressure. Add in circulation-boosting fish omega-3s and vein-supporting antioxidants from leafy greens and berries. Staying well-hydrated has also been shown to aid in decreasing bloating and water retention.

Move For Vein Health

How do prolonged sitting or standing cause varicose veins?

When you sit or stand around for long, your blood doesn’t circulate as efficiently, and it pools in the legs, causing increased vein pressure. Do this with walking, stretching, and even other easy foot movements to keep your circulation.

Choose the right footwear

You should use the right shoes so that your feet and ankles are able to move freely. Heels can impair blood flow because the backs of your calves are always being kept tight. Stick to supportive flat shoes and even sneakers that keep your legs moving the way they should. And if you must wear heels, choose them lower with enough support.

Lift For Leg Health

How does elevating your legs boost blood flow and lower varicose vein risk?

Lifting legs higher than your heart makes blood flow back to the heart less difficult and decreases pressure within the veins. It can help prevent varicose veins because it improves circulation and prevents blood from pooling in those areas, particularly after being on your feet all day.

Use gentle massage

A light leg massage can help circulation and make your legs less sore. Using moisturising lotion or oil can add to the effectiveness of massage, making it more relaxing for you. However, stroke lightly and don’t crush the veins directly because they risk damaging the very fragile muscle tissues. Instead, concentrate on massaging the adjoining regions to ensure there is proper flow of blood.

Support Vein Health

How do compression stockings prevent varicose veins?

Compression stockings exert mild pressure that helps your veins and blood flow to work while you sit or stand for prolonged hours. They are also popular for individuals who fall into the higher risk groups who are working on your feet, pregnant women, and people with a family history of varicose veins.

Skip tight clothes

Avoid tight clothing around your waist, hips, or thighs if you are at risk for varicose veins. Tight clothes can cut off circulation, which makes it difficult for the veins to do their thing. Instead, choose loose clothing that gives your body freedom of movement to maintain good circulation and relieve the pressure on your veins.