Varicose Veins

[ClemFandango86]

Just wondering what people with varicose veins do to try and alleviate symptoms? I have developed one right by my knee, basically from inside my thigh along to knee and I also have a raised area under calf which I suspect is another varicose type vein. I've been to docs and because I'm healthy (BMI and all that stuff) I don't qualify for surgery.

Recently it's been hurting more often - hot and a bit itchy and just generally raised and yuk looking. I'm worried I'm going to have a leg that looks like a piece of stilton by the time I'm in my late 30s

Any advice as to what people have found helps would be greatly appreciated!

If they're itching then I'd recommend getting them treated because the itching is a sign of venous dermatitis due to leaking veins. It gets worse and can cause leg ulcers and can be more prone to cellulitis.

I'm laid up with cellulitis around a leg ulcer at the moment and it's not nice. I had my veins treated by endovenous laser recently - much easier and less traumatic than the old fashioned stripping and had the tributary veins treated by 2 weeks ago.

Forgot to mention elevate your legs as much as possible.

do you have private medical cover. mine are rather bad but GP told me that NHS won't do them anymore unless you develop ulcers. I am saving up for private treatment now.

otherwise, putting my legs up and Ibuprofen help best for the pain.