Varicose veins are never easy to deal with. At first, it’s always possible to put them in the back of your mind and cope with them, but at a certain point they can become not only unsightly, but dangerous for your health. But at which point should you consider seeking professional treatment? In this article, we’re going to give you a few tell-tale signs that it’s time to see a doctor. We’ll also tell you how your doctor can help.

Your Legs Are Getting Swollen

If for no apparent reason you start experiencing sharp pain in your legs, then it could mean that one of your deep veins is being obstructed by a blood clot. If that is the case, that is a serious situation that should be assessed immediately. A lump under the skin could also be caused by a blood clot, but it could be caused by an inflamed vein as well. While this isn’t always indicative of a worse condition, it would be wise to consult a doctor as a preventive measure.

Sudden Bleeding

Another clear sign that something is wrong is if the skin that is covering the varicose veins starts bleeding either on its own or after contact. The skin that covers varicose veins has a tendency to be very thin and break easily. If your skin breaks easily especially around the varicose, consult a doctor immediately.

Home Treatment Aren’t Working

Many home treatments can be used to treat or reduce the appearance of varicose veins. Things like grape seed extract, centella asiatica and rutosides have all shown some results in the treatment of varicose veins. Changes to your diet can also be made to alleviate the symptoms. But if even after all these changes, the problem still persists or becomes worse, then it’s definitely time to see a professional.

What a Doctor Can Do for You

In addition to giving you a few pieces of advice on how to modify your lifestyle to reduce the occurrence of varicose veins, doctors have a wide variety of procedures that they can perform to shut veins completely.

One of the most popular treatments for varicose veins is sclerotherapy. With this method, the doctor injects a liquid into the veins that will force them to close. The liquid will scar the valve, causing it to close naturally. This procedure is rather simple and is usually performed on smaller veins.

Laser treatment is also increasing in popularity because of its non-invasive nature and great results. This method is usually performed on spider veins, but can also be done on bigger veins as well. For deep veins, a special fiber is inserted directly inside the vein and closed through laser ablation. Clinics like NY Metro Vein, for instance, specialize in laser varicose vein removal.

Varicose veins are very serious and go well beyond aesthetics. Neglecting to treat your varicose veins could lead to severe complications and even incapacitate you. If you notice any of the symptoms outlined in this article, make sure that you consult a doctor immediately.