When should I seek medical assistance for varicose or thread veins?

You should seek medical advice if you notice symptoms such as aching, heaviness, swelling, itching, skin discolouration, or bleeding from varicose or thread veins. It’s also important to get checked if the skin around your ankle becomes hard, inflamed, starts to break down, or if you develop sores that are slow to heal.

Even if your veins aren’t painful, assessment is still recommended. In some cases, varicose or thread veins can be linked to underlying venous disease, where blood flow in the legs doesn’t work as it should. Identifying this early helps guide safe treatment, reduces the risk of complications, and ensures any underlying problem is managed properly, not just the visible veins.