Leaving varicose veins untreated – what harm could it do?

Whilst varicose veins are considered unsightly, embarrassing and annoying, very few people realise they can be dangerous too. When left untreated, they have the potential to lead to several fairly serious conditions.

Symptoms commonly reported include pain, fatigue, discomfort and itchiness. If treatment isn’t sought, these symptoms will worsen over time.

So even if you are lucky enough to avoid developing a serious medical issue, you’ll still be left in a lot of pain and discomfort if you don’t get your varicose veins treated.

Potential dangers you need to be aware of

The best case scenario for varicose veins being left untreated is usually a worsening of symptoms. However, there’s the chance they could also lead to the following more serious conditions:

Lipodermosclerosis – Over time, inflammation can cause the tissues of the leg to become heavy and firm. Tenderness is also a common symptom and eventually the leg will be a lot harder to move as well as to relax.

Hyperpigmentation – If you think your varicose veins look unsightly now, wait until you see how they appear if hyperpigmentation sets in. Over time, varicose veins tend to lead to excess blood which leaks out into the leg’s tissue. This causes the skin to darken and become discoloured, as the leg becomes painful and swollen.

Deep vein thrombosis – One of the more serious conditions varicose veins can occasionally lead to, deep vein thrombosis causes a blood clot which can be fatal. You’ll feel as though the nerves in your legs are being pinched and it’s if the blood clot travels up the body that it becomes a life-threatening problem.

Treatments available

The treatment of varicose veins has come a long way and it isn’t half as scary as it used to be. There are a wide range of treatments available including state of the art keyhole surgeries. There are even non-surgical approaches which may be better suited to some patients.

If you’re seeking treatment for varicose veins in Cornwall, the Cornwall Vein Clinic can help. Book a consultation today to see which type of treatment best suits your circustmances.