1. Spider and Varicose Veins Slideshow Pictures
2. How Much Is Psoriasis Affecting Your Life?
3. Take the Skin Quiz

Medical Author:

Shabir Bhimji, MD

Coauthor:

Amy Smookler, MD

Coauthor:

Mara Aloi, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Varicose veins that a person has now will not go away unless treated, such as sclerotherapy or ligation and stripping. At times the veins may seem more prominent, such as in warm weather. However, once they appear, they will not go away on their own.

Prevention is the key. The earlier a person starts the lifestyle modifications outlined in the Self-Care at Home discussed previously, the better the chances of preventing new varicose veins from forming. In some cases, varicose veins may be one stage in the continuum of chronic poor vein functioning.

Some people may progress from having no symptoms, to the development of varicose veins, and then on to problems with leg swelling, and finally to ulcers caused by stagnant blood flow.

• A small number of these people will have deep vein clots as a cause for their signs and symptoms, but most will not.
• The more severe problems, such as skin ulcers, tend to be very difficult to prevent completely. Once these ulcers occur, they are very difficult to cure.
• Even when they are eliminated, these ulcers tend to recur

A deep vein blood clot has the potential to travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the lung. This is called a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism does not occur from varicose veins.

• Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, because the blood clot can interrupt the circulation of blood.
• Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism are chest pain and shortness of breath.

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