Varicose Veins during Pregnancy Part 5

What will happen if the varicose veins are left untreated during pregnancy?

A few individuals who develop varicose veins during pregnancy will have only cosmetic complains. However, the majority of other individuals will develop complications of varicose veins. Today it is impossible to know who will develop complications and who wont. In general, the longer the varicose veins are in place the greater the chance of complications. The typical complication of long standing varicose veins during pregnancy include:

- Superficial thrombophlebitis – this simply means
that the vein has a blood clot inside. The blood
clot will cause irritation and tenderness of the
vein. The vein will appear red and indurated on
the surface. Most individuals may require a pain
killer, aspirin and warm compress to relieve the
symptoms.
- Bleeding – because varicose veins are engorged
with blood, even the slightest trauma or cut can
cause a fair amount of bleeding. The veins are
under fairly high pressure and bleeding can be
extensive. One simply presses at the site and
the bleeding will stop.
- Skin Dryness is a common feature of long standing
varicose veins
- Skin discoloration will occur in all individuals
if the varicose veins are long standing. The skin
discoloration typically starts around the ankle
and appears dark gray to brown. It is due to
blood leaking out of the vein and into tissues
- Venous Ulceration –when blood leaks out of the
vein, it irritates the tissues and over time,
some individuals develop an ulcer. Venous ulcers
are some of the most difficult ulcers to heal.

Can varicose veins recur after treatment?

Sure, recurrence is very common after treatment. There is no cure for varicose veins. There is no treatment today which can completely get rid of varicose veins. Even when the vein is completely stripped and removed, some minor branches may remain and develop into varicosities. Some individuals develop multiple spider veins which keep on recurring. To prevent varicose veins from coming back after treatment, one should wear compression stockings

Can varicose veins be treated with sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is only useful for the minute spider veins. Varicose veins in pregnancy are too large to be injected with the sclerosant.