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Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins, usually appearing blue or dark purple, most commonly found on the legs. They develop when the valves inside veins weaken, allowing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Varicose veins, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See your GP if varicose veins are painful, causing skin changes, or affecting your quality of life, to discuss treatment options.
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Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins, usually appearing blue or dark purple, most commonly found on the legs. They develop when the valves inside veins weaken, allowing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
Varicose veins are causing significant pain, aching, or swelling
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins, usually appearing blue or dark purple, most commonly found on the legs. They develop when the valves inside veins weaken, allowing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart.
They're very common and, while often just a cosmetic concern, can sometimes cause aching, heaviness, swelling, or itching in the legs, particularly after standing for long periods.
See your GP if varicose veins are painful, causing skin changes, or affecting your quality of life, to discuss treatment options.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Varicose veins are common and often manageable with simple lifestyle measures, though several effective treatments are available if symptoms are more troublesome.
Compression stockings and staying active are simple, effective first steps for managing the discomfort of varicose veins.