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Varicose veins may appear anywhere in your body however they are most often found in the legs and feet. Many times varicose veins are completely harmless despite being unattractive and even disfiguring. When varicose veins are inflamed, however, they can be hot and tender and create swollen feet/ankles in addition to aching and itchiness. Varicose veins are common in older men and women, especially women, as well as those who are overweight. It is common for varicose veins to run in families and women will develop them twice as often as men. Approximately 20 percent of American women are affected by varicose veins in some way and about 10 percent of men are.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins in the Feet

If you believe you have varicose veins in your feet you should consider the following common symptoms. Are the blood vessels dark blue or purple in your feet and/or legs? Do they bulge out from the skin on your feet? Are they causing your feet or ankles to swell when you are standing for a period of time? Do they make your legs feel sore, ender, heavy, in addition to aching? If so, then you may have varicose veins in your feet. If you have skin ulcers, peeling skin, and constant pain then you will need to see your doctor sooner rather than later because this is a sign of a severe problem.  

Feet Varicose Vein Causes

If you have varicose veins in your feet there are many reasons why this might be the case. For example, the arteries that circulate the blood through the body may have lost some of their elasticity in the legs and feet. When the valves no longer work properly because the veins are no longer as elastic as they once were then it makes it increasingly difficult for the muscles and arteries to properly send the blood up through the legs against gravity. The result is some pooling of blood in the veins, which is the result of varicose veins. When the pressure within the veins increases the veins are more congested and this results in the twisting and bulging appearance that is common with varicose veins. It is more likely that the veins close to the surface of your feet and legs will become varicose because they do not have as much support from the muscles as do deeper veins. 

Any health condition or physical condition that causes increased pressure within the legs and feet can cause varicose veins over time. Women are frequently affected by varicose veins due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Deficiencies in one’s diet as well as age causing a reduction in elasticity is also to blame for varicose veins in the feet. Other reasons that might cause varicose veins in the feet include constipation, lack of exercise, being overweight, sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time, as well as others.