Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

Do you want to know the answer to the million-dollar question- Are Varicose Veins Dangerous or Are Your Varicose Veins a sign of deeper trouble? It’s the question that needs to be asked when varicose veins, often become so commonplace. And the answer to this question is, ”sometimes”. Typically, they’re not dangerous and not all varicose veins require medical treatment, some varicose veins can be managed with lifestyle changes that prevent them from advancing. However, some varicose veins are more severe and require medical treatment. By the time most people see a vein specialist for their varicose veins; their veins are already large, bulging, and painful. At this point, the odds of developing a secondary condition have increased.

Let me dig this a little deeper for you and explain to you about the sometimes dangerous consequences of not having your varicose veins monitored, and treated by a trained vein specialist.

Bleeding Varicose Veins

If your varicose veins are quite prominent, they may injure easily. This often can result in severe bruising or bleeding. The small prominent veins can even begin to bleed on their own, which can be very scary. If this happens to you, the blood will spurt steadily in a stream because there is pressure.
So what you need to do if this happens to you is immediately get your leg elevated and put pressure on the affected area. Your doctor should be consulted if you find yourself more and more prone to these types of injuries.

Varicose Veins and Leg Ulcers

When varicose veins are left untreated, the pressure and inflammation from fluid buildup in the area can lead to skin changes and an open sore that can become infected. About 80% of skin ulcers in the lower leg are caused by varicose veins. Leg ulcers most often occur just above the ankle and are difficult to treat and heal. Without treatment, the infection can spread.

Blood Clots

Blood clots are common with varicose veins. While most of the clots are found in superficial veins, they can sometimes move into deeper veins which can be fatal as the clot can easily find its way in the bloodstream and into your lungs. In the lungs, the clot will cause pulmonary embolism which is life-threatening.
In some cases, the blood clot can form in the vein bringing about a condition known as thrombophlebitis. When you have the condition you tend to feel warm and the blood veins are painful and red.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

When the blood in your veins doesn’t flow properly you tend to interfere with the way that your skin interacts with the blood. For example, it will interfere with the way that your skin exchanges nutrients, waste products, and oxygen with the blood.
If you disrupt the exchange for a long time you will suffer from chronic venous insufficiency. Over time, chronic venous insufficiency results to conditions such as varicose eczema, venous ulcers, and lipodermatosclerosis.

To avoid the above-mentioned complications that come when varicose veins are left untreated you, need to get rid of the veins as soon as possible. Since these varicose veins have the potential of being harmful to you, you should ensure that you first consult your doctor before you take measures to treat them on your own.