Recognizing and Treating Bursting Varicose Veins

Varicose veins appear swollen, bulging, and twisted, raised up from the skin, and dark red or purple in color. They are considered unsightly, but they are often more than just a cosmetic issue. If varicose veins are left untreated, they can get worse and even become bursting varicose veins. Read on to learn the best ways to prevent varicose veins from bursting. 

Varicose Vein Basics

Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins.  Common discomforts related to varicose veins include burning, itching, heaviness, and aching. They can cause sleep disturbances because the sensations tend to be more intense at night. They can also cause itchy rashes and ulcers.

When blood moves towards the heart, it is pushed by one-way valves in the veins. Those valves can become weakened over time with age. They can also become damaged due to obesity, inactivity, poor diet, or genetics. Women are at greater risk for varicose veins. Pregnancy also puts people at greater risk because the body creates larger volumes of blood to support the fetus. When the valves in the veins don’t function properly, blood begins to pool in the superficial veins at the skin’s surface. This build-up of blood can cause the veins to rupture. 

When A Varicose Vein Bursts

Untreated varicose veins can lead to more serious problems. When the build-up of pressure causes the walls of the vein to stretch, it weakens the vein, leaving it vulnerable to rupture. This can happen suddenly and without provocation or irritation. When a varicose vein bursts, it can bleed into the surrounding tissue. There are two primary symptoms of vein rupture: internal and external. 

Internal symptoms of a rupture visibly manifest as bruises on the skin at the site of the affected varicose vein. Patients with internal symptoms of a rupture report feeling dizziness. External symptoms present as broken skin at the site of the vein rupture, accompanied by profuse and steady bleeding. 

It’s important to take the proper steps when a varicose vein bursts: 

1. Take a seat or lie down in the event you feel faint. 
2. Elevate the affected leg right away. Prop it up on pillows or cushions. This will help reduce swelling. 
3. Apply pressure at the source of the bleed if it's external. This will help slow, and eventually stop, the bleeding. 

It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience a rupture to prevent blood loss and further complications. Symptoms of a varicose vein bursting can be frightening, so it’s important to remain calm and follow the steps mentioned above. As soon as you can, talk to your doctor. Medical treatment of ruptured varicose veins will typically be via ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. Once a varicose vein ruptures, it’s likely to happen again if they are left untreated. 

See a Specialist for Varicose Vein Bursting

Varicose veins are a vascular disorder and can lead to other health issues. The good news is there is likely a varicose vein treatment that will work for you. The best way to prevent a varicose vein from bursting is to seek care from a vein specialist. 

Varicose Vein Treatment

 Performing surgeries since 1988, the BASS Vein Center offers five different vascular procedures or vein treatments. These procedures include Conservative Vein Treatment, Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy, VenaSeal™, Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy. 

The BASS Vein Center offers 7 convenient locations. The major cities we serve include Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Lafayette, Oakland, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Our offices treat a variety of conditions, from varicose veins to spider veins and even chronic venous disease. Over the course of 15 years, our offices have completed more than 24,000 vein procedures. We have six vascular surgeons and four general surgeons at The Vein Center. Schedule a consultation with one of our expert vein doctors to treat varicose veins.