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What Are These Purple Veins on My Legs?

Varicose veins are engorged and swollen blood vessels that appear just beneath the surface of our skin. These blue or purple veins on legs mostly appear in your feet, legs, and ankles. They can be itchy and painful. They might get surrounded by spider veins, which are tiny purple or red lines that show under the skin’s surface. 

Despite their unsightly appearance, such veins are not dangerous for most people. In some situations, serious varicose veins can result in severe health issues, including blood clots. You can get rid of most vein symptoms at home. However, if you are facing a serious case, then you might need advanced treatment with laser therapy, injections, or even surgery. Let us look into some nitty-gritty of purple veins. 

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Why My Legs Are Purple | Causes Behind Varicose Veins

Purple veins occur when the veins’ walls start to weaken. As the blood pressure in these veins increases, the weakened walls permit your veins to bulge. And, as these veins grow in size, the valves that keep the blood flowing in one direction in your veins stop working as they should. This blood starts accumulating in your veins, resulting in your veins twisting, swelling, and even bulging. In many conditions, vein valves might become weak due to:

  1. Excess weight
  2. Normal aging
  3. Hormones
  4. Standing for elongated periods of time

Symptoms Why Are My Legs Purple 

The heavily recognizable sign of purple veins is a blue or purple, gnarled vein appearing just under the surface of your skin. The symptoms of such veins include:

Bulging Veins

Swollen, twisted, rope-like veins that are mostly purple or blue. They appear right under the surface of the skin on your feet, ankles, and legs. They develop in clusters and are surrounded by smaller spider veins (blue or red lines).

Heavy Legs

Your leg muscles might start feeling heavy, tired, or sluggish, particularly after physical exertion.

Skin Discolorations And Ulcers

Without treatment, such veins result in discolorations on your skin. Serious varicose veins might cause sores (venous ulcers). This is why you might spot purple on legs.

Itching

The surrounding area near a varicose vein might itch.

Pain

Legs with such venous issues might be sore, painful, and achy, particularly behind the knees. People also report to have muscle cramps. 

Swelling

Your legs, feet, and ankles can throb and swell as well. 

risk factors for veins

What Are The Risk Factors For Varicose Veins?

Any individual can develop purple veins on their legs. Some factors elevate the chances of developing such veins. These factors include:

Age

Due to the aging process, vein velves as well as the walls do not work as they should. With time, veins lose thier elasticity and become stiff. 

Hormones

Female hormones permit the walls of the veins to stretch. Women who are taking birth control pills, or are pregnant, or even going through menopause have a greater risk of having their legs purple because of changes in their hormone levels. 

Family History

People can even inherit such venous conditions if it runs in their family.

Lifestyle

Sitting or standing for longer periods of time results in decreased circulation. This might be one of the major risk factors for purple veins. 

Overall Health

Particular health issues can elevate the pressure in the veins, which might cause them to bulge and appear purple or blue. 

Tobacco Use

People who regularly use tobacco products are most likely to develop such venous conditions. 

Weight

Extra weight also exerts pressure on these blood vessels, leading them to work abnormally. 

What Are The Serious Complications Of Purple Veins?

A lot of people do not have any complications arising from their purple veins. However, some individuals might have to experience ulcers (open sores), skin discoloration, bleeding, and even swollen purple legs due to such conditions. Serious varicose veins might also indicate Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). In this condition, the ability of veins to pump blood back to the heart is affected. If you are dealing with such venous issues, you are more likely to get blood clots. It is important to consult your healthcare provider for such issues. Experts at Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen evaluate and monitor their patients for clotting disorders, as well as other symptoms, including:

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Blood clots can develop inside varicose veins, leading to superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis. This condition is painful, but it is not life-threatening in most cases. It is treatable. 

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

If you are experiencing varicose veins, then you might have a greater risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this condition, the individuals develop a blood clot in their veins deep inside their bodies. 

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot within the body (mostly from DVT) can get inside the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a dangerous condition that requires immediate treatment. 

 

rid of purple veins

How To Get Rid Of Purple Veins? | Management And Treatment 

There are certain treatments that can help you look after your purple veins and feel better. You are most likely to go home on the same day you get these treatments. Some of the common treatments include:

Elevation

Elevating your legs above your waist multiple times a day helps in increasing the blood flow and decrease pressure in your veins. 

Elastic Stockings

Socks or supportive stockings compress your veins and reduce discomfort. This compression helps your blood flow and halts your veins from stretching.

Injection Therapy (Sclerotherapy)

During sclerotherapy, a healthcare expert injects a solution in your vein. This solution results in the vein walls sticking together. Eventually, your vein turns into a scar tissue and fades away. 

Laser Therapy

Healthcare professionals, i.e., experts from Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen, use a catheter (A thin and long tube) along with a laser to close off the damaged vein. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is also known as endovenous thermal ablation. 

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

A medical expert makes several punctures or cuts in your skin next to the varicose vein. Then, they tie off and remove a section of vein at a time. 

Vein Surgery

During such procedures, also known as ligation and stripping, the surgeon ties off your damaged vein (ligation) to stop blood from accumulating. They might also strip (remove) the vein to prevent any chances of your varicose veins reappearing. 

Prevention For Purple Veins

You might not be able to prevent varicose veins. However, you can cut down the chances of developing them by living a healthy and active lifestyle. Medical experts recommend a number of measures to treat and prevent such veins. Let us look at some of them, shall we? 

Avoid Elongated Periods Of Standing

To motivate blood flow, take regular breaks to walk around and stretch. This also helps if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet. 

Elevate Your Legs

Elevating your feet above your waist helps blood flow to your heart. 

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Reducing weight and getting rid of excess pounds can also help you decrease the pressure on your blood vessels. Thus, you can avoid getting purple legs.

Quit Tobacco Use

Smoking damages blood vessels, lowers blood flow, and results in a huge range of health concerns. 

Stay Active

To improve circulation, avoid sitting still for long hours and move frequently. 

Try Compression Stockings

Support socks and compression stockings compress your veins and help your blood circulate. This can prevent purple veins from getting worse. 

To Sum It All Up

Purple veins might keep you from wearing shorts and even result in discomfort. The great news is that a lot of people do not have any complications from such a condition. If these veins bother you, you can give home treatments a chance; they might help. You can also ask your healthcare provider about various available treatments. Experts at Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regencan help you treat your vein issues. Just bear in mind that such veins can appear again. So, it is best for you to consult your healthcare provider regarding the best treatment available to you.

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