7 Signs It’s Time to See a Vein Specialist
If you have veins that are causing symptoms or affecting your quality of life in any way, you may want to consider meeting with a vein specialist.
A vein specialist can talk to you about minimally invasive treatments for spider veins and varicose veins that can reduce their appearance and your symptoms.
Here are seven signs it’s time to request an appointment with The Vein Institute of Hunterdon.
1. You Have Severe Leg Pain
Aching leg pain is one of the most common symptoms of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. This symptom occurs when inflammation develops in problematic veins. Your leg pain may worsen after long periods of standing or sitting.
2. Your Legs Are Swollen
Swollen legs are common with venous insufficiency due to the way blood can pool inside the veins to cause enlargement and bulging as well as fluid leaking into the tissue itself.
3. You Have Heaviness in Your Legs and Feet
A feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet may occur due to blood pooling inside and outside veins. This may cause throbbing and discomfort.
4. You Have Itching or Burning Veins
Itching and burning in the legs can be telltale signs of blood flow and circulation problems, usually due to varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Sometimes, these symptoms are accompanied by patches of dry skin in the same area.
5. You Notice Discoloration of the Skin at Your Ankles
Subtle discoloration of the skin at the ankles can be an indication of underlying vein issues. The high pressure in the smaller veins leads to increased pigment deposition and can be permanently disfiguring if not addressed early.
6. You Have Leg Wounds That Heal Slowly, or Not at All
Leg wounds that take an unusually long time to heal—also known as venous leg ulcers—are caused by poor blood flow to the area. Leg ulcers are a common event for patients with longstanding venous disease that may have been inadequately treated in the past.
Seeing a vein specialist is extremely important if you have leg ulcers, as they can increase your risk for infection and complications, including gangrene and amputation.
7. You Dislike the Appearance of Your Veins
You can have your spider veins or varicose veins treated if you simply want to reduce their appearance. Vein treatments have the potential to increase your self-esteem and make you feel more confident about your appearance. This can be a major bonus, especially if you’ve been hiding your legs under pants and long skirts, even in warm weather.
Don’t put off having your veins treated if they are causing symptoms or affecting your livelihood. You may be surprised to learn that most vein treatments are highly effective and produce little to no downtime.
Contact The Vein Institute of Hunterdon at (908) 788-0066 to request an appointment to learn more about treatments for spider veins and varicose veins. A vein specialist at TVI can review your medical history, perform an exam and discuss your available treatment options.