Editing Varicose veins (section)

== Signs and symptoms ==
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* Aching, [[heavy legs]]<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Tisi PV | title = Varicose veins | journal = BMJ Clinical Evidence | volume = 2011 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21477400 | pmc = 3217733 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2017-10-23|title=Varicose veins|url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/|access-date=2020-12-29|website=nhs.uk|language=en}}</ref>
* Appearance of spider veins ([[telangiectasia]]) in the affected leg
* Ankle swelling<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
* A brownish-yellow shiny skin discoloration near the affected veins
* Redness, dryness, and itchiness of areas of skin, termed [[stasis dermatitis]] or venous [[eczema]]<ref name=":1" />
* Muscle cramps when making sudden movements, such as standing<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chandra A |title= Clinical review of varicose veins: epidemiology, diagnosis and management | journal = GPonline |url=https://www.gponline.com/clinical-review-varicose-veins-epidemiology-diagnosis-management/cv-thromboembolic-disorders/article/1291408}}</ref>
* Abnormal bleeding or healing time for injuries in the affected area
* [[Lipodermatosclerosis]] or shrinking skin near the ankles
* [[Restless legs syndrome]] appears to be a common overlapping clinical syndrome in people with varicose veins and other [[chronic venous insufficiency]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/chronic-venous-insufficiency/| title=Chronic Venous Insufficiency
|website=The Lecturio Medical Concept Library |access-date= 9 July 2021}}</ref>
* [[Livedoid vasculitis|Atrophie blanche]], or white, scar-like formations
* Burning or throbbing sensation in the legs<ref name=":1" />
People with varicose veins might have a positive [[D-dimer]] blood test result due to chronic low-level thrombosis within dilated veins ([[varices]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Varicose Vein Surgery Workup: Approach Considerations, Tests for Ruling Out Deep Venous Thrombosis As Cause, Tests for Demonstrating Reflux |url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/462579-workup |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=emedicine.medscape.com}}</ref>

=== Complications ===
Most varicose veins are reasonably benign, but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.
* Pain, tenderness, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hours
* Skin conditions / [[dermatitis]] which could predispose skin loss
* Skin ulcers especially near the ankle, usually referred to as [[venous ulcer]]s
* Development of [[carcinoma]] or [[sarcoma]] in longstanding venous ulcers. Over 100 reported cases of malignant transformation have been reported at a rate reported as 0.4% to 1%<ref name="Goldman">Goldman M. (1995) ''Sclerotherapy, Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins''. Hardcover Text, 2nd Ed.</ref>{{dubious|date=June 2024}}
* Severe bleeding from minor trauma, of particular concern in the elderly<ref name=":1" />
* [[Coagulation|Blood clotting]] within affected veins, termed [[superficial thrombophlebitis]].<ref name=":1" /> These are frequently isolated to the superficial veins, but can extend into deep veins, becoming a more serious problem.<ref name=":1" />
* Acute fat necrosis can occur, especially at the ankle of overweight people with varicose veins. Females have a higher tendency of being affected than males