A member asked:

Are varicose veins painful?

30 doctors weighed in across 9 answers

Sometimes: In addition to their unsightly cosmetic appearance, varicose veins can be painful, though not all patients report pain. Some patients experience heaviness, tiredness, aching, or cramping especially after standing or exercising for long periods of time, while others complain of burning or tingling sensation, occasional swelling or throbbing, and tenderness around the veins.

Answered 9/2/2015

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Dr. Lornell Hansen answered

Specializes in Phlebology

Possibly: Other symptoms can include restless leg syndrome, skin changes in the lower leg to include darkened pigmentation, eczema and even ulcers. If you are having pain consult a board certified phlebologist, interventional radiologist or a vascular surgeon.

Answered 1/31/2019

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Dr. Vasu Brown answered

Specializes in Integrative Medicine

If inflammed: If there is inflammation of veins it is painful.

Answered 7/20/2012

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Dr. Ted King answered

Yes, often: Besides pain, varicose veins can cause aching, throbbing, restlessness, cramping, itching, burning, heaviness, tiredness, fatigue, and ankle swelling. Generally, the longer you are on your feet, the worse the symptoms become. If inflamed, the pain becomes worse and you can even get warmth, swelling and redness of the vein. Chronic inflammation can cause skin discoloration and even ulceration.

Answered 3/18/2013

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It depends: Pain is subjective some people have large varicose veins yet have no symptoms, others with smaller size veins may. There are various symptoms swelling heaviness tired legs, itchy sensation.

Answered 3/18/2013

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Dr. Thomas Wright answered

Specializes in Phlebology

Frequently Yes: In addition to " pain " the following symptoms commonly occur with varicose veins: leg aching, burning, itching, throbbing, heaviness, fatigue, tiredness, cramping, swelling in legs and leg restlessness or "restless legs syndrome". If you are having pain or other discomfort you should see a vein specialist and consider treatment.

Answered 12/29/2022

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Dr. Joel Gotvald answered

Specializes in Vascular Surgery

Often they are: Because varicose veins are associated with abnormally elevated venous pressure in the leg veins, they are often associated with pain. Other reasons they can be painful is that they can be associated with inlfammatory phlebitis, blood clots (thrombophlebitis), skin damage, or venous ulcers. Pain or discomfort is one of the most common reasons that patients with varicose veins present to a doctor.

Answered 6/15/2015

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Yes they can be: Varicose veins can cause multiple symptoms including being painful. Your legs can also swell and itch. They can cause discoloration. The underlying cause is venous insufficiency or reflux.

Answered 5/8/2016

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Dr. answered

Sometimes: Most people with varicose veins don't have any symptoms , with larger varicose veins people can experience pain and ache . http://patient.info/health/varicose-veins-leaflet

Answered 1/5/2019

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