Are Varicose Veins Associated with Other Medical Conditions?

Most of the times, people with varicose veins rarely have challenges. If at all they do show up, it is usually after many years.

Other ailments and conditions are often similar to varicose conditions. The conditions below are signs, causes or risks associated with varicose veins.

Bleeding

If you bump or hurt a leg that is affected by varicose veins, it may bleed profusely. In this case, lie down, elevate the leg and squeeze the wound. If it doesn’t stop, seek advice from a doctor. 

Clotted Blood

When superficial veins have clotted blood, there is a potential risk of thrombophlebitis.

Thrombophlebitis

This is the inflammation of leg veins caused by blood clotting. This happens inside the varicose veins and are usually one of the following:

• Painful
• Slightly red
• Warm

Superficial thrombophlebitis is when thrombophlebitis affects superficial veins.

Compression stockings can be used to cure thrombophlebitis, just like varicose veins.

Mostly non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen will be prescribed.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

This attacks up to 20% of those who have clotted blood inside their superficial veins.

It leads to aching and inflammation of the leg and might cause serious ailments like pulmonary embolisms.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

If blood flow to the veins is inadequate, the entire system of connections between your waste, blood, waste, and oxygen will suffer. Chronic venous insufficiency a condition caused by disruption of this exchange for a prolonged period of time. The conditions listed below can also be caused by chronic venous inefficiency.

Varicose Eczema

This makes the skin to red, rough and peely. It also causes sores and cracking of the skin. It does not cause any large-scale complications since the condition is not temporal.

Lipodermatosclerosis

This makes your skin tough and stiff, occasionally turning reddish-brown in color. This normally attacks the area around the calf.

Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers appear when there is a surplus of blood flow through the veins. It thereafter leads to fluids slipping out of the vein and accumulating under the skin. This fluid makes the skin bulge, inflame and pop, creating an ulcer. Commonly, venous ulcers appear in the area around the ankle. 

Edema

Edema is a visible inflammation caused by fluids accumulating inside tissues of the body. When edema attacks a part of the body, it is said to be edematous. This condition mostly invades the legs, ankles, feet and hands, and is referred to as peripheral edema. Pedal edema is when this condition affects the feet.

 

Itching or Pruritus

• Pruritus is the medical name for itching.
• Causes of itching are bites and stings, infections, chronic diseases, infestations, allergic reactions, dry skin and exposure to the sun
• Lotions and anti-itch remedies containing menthol, camphor, pramoxine, phenol, dephenhydramine or benzocaine can be applied as a cure.
• Sometimes, the itching will react positively to corticosteroid cure methods.
• If possible, try avoiding excessive scratching, because it makes the condition worse. This injures the skin and could be the cause of a bacterial invasion.
• In cases where the itching won’t stop, or gets even worse, or is connected to lesions on the skin, make a point of talking to a qualified physician to get advice.