Can Varicose Veins Cause Itching?
The Princeton Vascular Center is the first of its kind to have established a multi-specialty approach to spider and varicose vein disease. In bringing together board-certified experts in both vascular surgery and cardiovascular specialties, we have developed a unique model for vein treatment. This collaboration establishes... more
If you are wanting to see a vein doctor for itchy varicose veins, you can be certain that you are not the only one. While many people think that varicose veins are purely cosmetic, vein disease can have many manifestations. Varicose veins are just one symptom of a more serious underlying issue - chronic venous insufficiency. The itchy feeling patients experience from varicose veins is a more advanced symptom and suggests inflammation at the skin level.
These symptoms don’t happen overnight, so it's important to seek early vein evaluations. While the cosmetic issues can be covered and even suppressed with compression socks and long pants, the feelings associated with venous insufficiency can become unbearable to many. The symptoms include itchy veins, swollen legs, leg fatigue, leg cramps, leg pain, and skin discoloration.
Why Do Varicose Veins Itch?
Varicose veins develop because of chronic venous insufficiency. In this condition, truncal or superficial veins become dysfunctional. This can result from many causes including employment or lifestyles that lead to prolonged periods of standing or sitting, obesity, smoking, pregnancy are commonly associated issues. Genetics plays the largest role and many patients will identify siblings or parents with varicose veins.
In chronic venous insufficiency, the circulation becomes impaired in the superficial veins. The veins are dilated and the valves become dysfunctionally unable to keep blood from refluxing (or falling back down) with gravity. Unlike deep veins, there is no significant muscle or tissue to prevent the veins from dilating further and worsening the problem. This poor circulation effort leads to blood to pool in the legs and causes symptoms of venous insufficiency. Spider and varicose veins result from the over-distended veins that cause new, diseased veins to form.
As the situation worsens with time, the continued pooling of blood becomes chronically irritated and inflammatory to the walls of the veins and the surrounding tissue. This includes the skin which can become eczematous, itchy, and discolored. If left untreated, the condition can lead to venous stasis changes or permanently discolored and eczematous. In the most serious cases, skin ulcers (CEAP 5 and 6), infections and bleeding can occur.
How To Treat Itchy Varicose Veins?
Eczema that results from venous insufficiency needs early treatment. Moisturizers and steroids can help resolve very irritated skin, but the key is to treat the underlying issue to prevent chronic insults on the skin. Fortunately, these varicose vein and treatment for spider veins are readily available and can be done in the hands of the best vein doctors. Modern treatments are minimally-invasive and catheter-based technologies that eliminate the need for surgical removal of veins.
Combination treatments with foam sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy can eliminate some of the most unsightly varicose veins once the underlying issue is resolved. If you are seeking expert venous care, make sure you see a board-certified vein specialist as soon as possible.
