Varicose Veins and Thread Veins
Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged, or twisted veins under your skin, usually in your legs. They aren’t usually serious but can cause uncomfortable symptoms.
What are varicose and thread veins?
Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins. They happen when valves in the veins are damaged and don’t work properly. They can cause symptoms and sometimes serious sores called ulcers.
Varicose veins usually occur in the legs. Sometimes they’re on the surface where you can see them, sometimes they’re in veins you cannot see. They can sometimes be surrounded by thin red or purple lines, called thread veins. Whatever your experience with varicose and thread veins, here at Welbeck, our consultant vascular surgeons are on hand to offer you first-class treatment and care.
Both conditions are caused by problems with blood flow in the veins. Veins rely on one-way valves to help push blood back towards the heart. When these valves weaken or stop working properly, blood can flow backwards and pool in the vein. Over time, this pressure causes the vein to stretch and become damaged.
Varicose veins and thread veins are very common. Around 30% of people in the UK are affected by varicose veins, while thread veins are estimated to affect up to 80% of people at some point in their lives. They’re more common as you get older and tend to affect women more often than men.
In most cases, varicose veins and thread veins aren’t dangerous, but they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and may affect your confidence. In rare cases, they can be a sign of underlying vein disease, so it’s important to have them properly assessed.
At Welbeck, our vascular specialists assess and treat varicose veins and thread veins within our dedicated Heart Health centre. Using advanced imaging and modern treatments, we focus on accurate diagnosis, clear explanations, and care that fits around your life, so you feel supported and confident at every stage.
More information
Symptoms of varicose and thread veins can vary depending on the type of veins affected and how advanced the condition is. Some people notice visible changes only, while others experience discomfort. It’s also possible for varicose veins to cause symptoms without being seen on the surface of the skin.
Common symptoms of varicose veins include:
aching, throbbing, or painful legs
a feeling of heaviness, or tiredness, in the legs
swelling of the legs or ankles (oedema)
itching or irritation around the veins
skin changes on the lower leg or ankle, including redness or brown discolouration
skin becoming firm or hard to the touch
bleeding from damaged veins after minor knocks
veins feeling hot, tender, and red (phlebitis)
ulcers that are slow to heal, usually around the ankle in advanced cases
Thread veins usually cause fewer physical symptoms. They’re often noticed because of the appearance of fine red, blue, or purple lines rather than discomfort. However, in uncommon cases, symptoms can include:
mild aching or discomfort in the legs
itching or burning around the affected area
tired or heavy-feeling legs
When thread veins cause symptoms, this is often linked to underlying varicose veins rather than the thread veins themselves.
Varicose and thread veins are formed when the valves in the veins weaken or stop working properly. This causes blood to flow backwards and pool in the vein. Over time, this pressure causes damage to the vein. The reason why valves weaken isn’t fully understood, but several factors are known to increase the risk.
Common causes and risk factors of varicose and thread veins include:
family history of varicose veins or thread veins
pregnancy, which increases pressure on leg veins
hormonal changes, including pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, and hormone replacement therapy
being overweight, or having a body mass index over 30
standing or sitting for long periods without moving
previous deep vein thrombosis
injury or trauma to the legs
smoking
sun exposure
reduced physical activity
ageing, as vein walls and valves naturally lose strength over time
These factors can act together, gradually increasing pressure inside the veins and leading to visible vein changes and symptoms over time.
Diagnosis begins with an initial consultation with a specialist. Your consultant will ask about your symptoms, general health, family history, and any previous vein problems. They’ll also ask how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Your consultant will carry out a physical examination of your legs, usually while standing, to assess visible veins, skin changes, and swelling.
In most cases, an ultrasound scan is recommended. This painless test uses sound waves to assess blood flow within your veins, and check how well the valves are working. It also helps identify veins beneath the surface that may be contributing to symptoms, or causing visible thread veins.
Using this information, your consultant can confirm the diagnosis and explain which veins are affected. They’ll talk you through your treatment options and recommend a personalised plan based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and clinical findings.
Varicose veins and thread veins can’t always be prevented, but certain steps may help reduce your risk or slow progression.
Helpful measures include:
staying active, and avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
walking regularly to support blood flow in the legs
maintaining a healthy weight
raising your legs when resting
wearing compression stockings, if advised
avoiding smoking
protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure
avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme heat
Most people with varicose veins or thread veins don’t develop serious complications. However, in some cases, untreated varicose veins can progress and cause problems.
Possible complications of varicose veins include:
persistent leg swelling
skin changes such as eczema, or thickening around the ankle
venous leg ulcers
bleeding from fragile surface veins
blood clots in superficial veins
chronic venous insufficiency, where blood flow in the legs becomes significantly impaired
Thread veins are usually harmless, but in rare cases, they can be an early sign of underlying venous disease. This is why assessment by a specialist is important, even if your main concern is cosmetic.
The best treatment for you will depend on the type of veins affected, your symptoms, and ultrasound findings. Your consultant will explain which options are suitable for you and what results you can expect.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a day-case treatment that uses injections to close damaged veins, allowing the body to naturally absorb them over time. At Welbeck, sclerotherapy is performed under ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and safety.
We offer 2 types of sclerotherapy:
ultrasound-guided liquid sclerotherapy – for smaller veins, such as thread veins
ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy – for larger veins, including varicose veins
Foam can displace the blood within the vein more effectively than liquid, making it particularly suitable for deeper or wider veins.
Endovenous laser therapy
Endovenous laser therapy treats the underlying faulty vein that causes visible varicose veins and thread veins. It’s often combined with sclerotherapy to treat smaller veins that remain after the main vein has been sealed.
During endovenous laser therapy, a fine laser fibre is placed into the affected vein under local anaesthetic using ultrasound guidance. The laser delivers controlled heat along the length of the vein, sealing it closed. Over time, the body absorbs the treated vein and redirects blood through healthy veins.
At-home self-care
Alongside medical treatments, self-care measures can help manage symptoms and support your long-term vein health.
These include:
regular walking and gentle exercise
avoiding prolonged standing
raising your legs when resting
wearing compression stockings if advised
keeping the skin on your legs well moisturised
protecting your legs from injury to reduce the risk of bleeding
Your consultant will advise which measures are appropriate for you, and how they fit alongside your treatment plan.
At Welbeck, our vascular surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
Once a varicose vein or thread vein has been successfully treated, that specific vein won’t return. However, treatment doesn’t stop new veins from developing in the future. This is because vein conditions can be influenced by factors such as genetics, age, hormones, and lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and following any advice given by your specialist can help reduce the risk of new veins appearing over time.
Yes, it’s safe to treat varicose veins or thread veins for cosmetic reasons. Even if appearance is your main concern, an assessment with one of our specialists will help rule out any underlying problems and ensure the most appropriate treatment is chosen for your goals.
Varicose veins most commonly affect the legs because of the pressure placed on leg veins when standing and walking. Thread veins can also appear on the legs, but are often seen on the face, chest, back or other areas of the body. The underlying causes can vary depending on location, which is why assessment by a specialist is important to guide safe and effective treatment.