Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skin. They usually occur in the legs, but also can form in other parts of the body. Veins have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing toward your heart.

Because superficial veins have less muscle support than deep veins, they are more likely to become varicose. Any condition that puts excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicose veins. The most common pressure inducers are pregnancy, obesity, and standing for long periods.

Varicose veins may be invisible because of fat between your muscles and skin, but they can still cause symptoms like throbbing and swelling in your legs. … Yet for some people, varicose veins can cause skin damage and, even worse, lead to dangerous blood clots.

Varicose veins are a progressive disease that can lead to many different health complications if left untreated. Some of these complications include: Blood clots: The pooling of blood in a varicose vein can lead to stagnant blood flow, causing blood to clot in the insufficient vein.

10 signs you should see your doctor about varicose veins:

• Aching pain that may get worse after sitting or standing for a long time.
• Throbbing, swelling, cramping or a sensation of heaviness.
• Swelling in your leg.
• An itchy or irritated rash.
• Darkening of the skin.
• Tenderness just under the skin, which could indicate a clot or inflammation close to the surface.
• If your leg becomes swollen and painful, you might have a blood clot in a vein. Clots are serious and need to be treated promptly.
• Open sores on your leg that won’t heal.
• Bleeding that won’t stop. Varicose veins stretch the skin and can cause it to bleed on its own.
• Any leg symptoms that prevent you from accomplishing normal daily activities.