How do I know if I have varicose veins or thread veins?

Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team at McKeown Medical. Here, he discusses how to tell whether you have varicose veins or thread veins.

Published by Dr Alex Vesey

Date posted — 20.08.24

Varicose veins and thread veins – which are sometimes also known as spider veins – are both types of vein conditions, but they have distinct appearances and symptoms.

Varicose veins are larger, swollen, and twisted veins that often bulge above the skin’s surface. They can cause discomfort, pain, itching, or a heavy feeling in the legs and are typically found on the legs or feet.

Thread veins, on the other hand, are smaller, thin, and web-like veins that appear in the skin itself. They are usually red, blue, or purple and are painless. Thread veins can occur on the legs, face, or other areas of the body.

We offer a range of treatment options for varicose veins, including VenaSeal™ – the most up-to-date method of treating varicose veins that cause less pain and allows you to get back to normal almost immediately, without the hassle of wearing bandages or compression stockings.

Get in touch with our friendly team, and we’ll help you find the right varicose vein treatment.

Dr Alex Vesey

Our vascular surgery service is led by Dr Alex Vesey. Alex is a highly skilled vascular surgeon with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of vascular conditions. With a focus on minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Vesey is dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced and effective treatments for venous diseases, with a particular interest in the treatment of varicose veins.

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