Early varicose veins: why veins dilate at a young age

You have noticed a bulging, tortuous vein on your leg and you are not yet thirty. Or you have seen a vascular network in a teenager. Let us explain how early varicose veins work and why they appear in young people.

What varicose veins are and whether they occur at a young age

Varicose veins are dilated veins that become enlarged, tortuous, and visible under the skin. The veins of the legs are most often affected. Normally, blood moves toward the heart through the veins, and the valves inside them prevent blood from flowing back. If the valves are weakened or damaged, blood stagnates and the veins swell.

Varicose veins are very common. The risk is higher in older people, in women, with obesity, lack of movement, and a family history of varicose veins. Age is only one of the factors, so enlarged veins also occur in young people.

Causes of varicose veins at an early age

The main cause is a hereditary predisposition: veins with a wall weakened by a genetic trait. Heredity does not mean that the disease will necessarily develop. The onset and rate of progression depend on unfavorable factors: a sedentary lifestyle and desk work, increased physical exertion with heavy lifting, and neglect of one's health.

Wearing high-heeled shoes is also cited among the factors, but there is no reliable evidence of such a link: there are few studies, and their conclusions contradict each other.

Varicose veins in the legs of a teenager

Reticular varicose veins are distinguished separately — a fine vascular network. It is often associated with a hereditary predisposition of vessel walls to dilation. If someone in the family has this problem, you can discuss with a doctor which factors contribute to vessel dilation.

First signs of early varicose veins

In addition to the appearance of the veins, varicose veins can cause symptoms: pain, heaviness in the legs, night cramps, swelling. The skin may itch, change color, become dry and flaky. The feet or lower legs swell. Symptoms usually worsen after prolonged standing and decrease when you rest with your legs elevated.

Varicose veins differ from vascular "spider veins" — small red, blue, or purple veins, which are usually harmless.

What complications are possible and how the diagnosis is made

Without treatment, varicose veins may gradually worsen, but this usually happens slowly, over several years. Complications include trophic skin changes, up to ulcers. The diagnosis is often made on examination. Sometimes additional tests are needed, such as duplex ultrasound scanning to check blood flow.

• Pain, heaviness, or swelling of the legs
• Itching, change in skin color
• A non-healing ulcer on the leg lasting longer than 2 weeks
• Worsening appearance of the veins

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if there is pain, itching, or swelling of the legs, if an ulcer has appeared on the leg that does not heal for 2 weeks, or if the veins are worsening. Bleeding from a varicose vein is a separate reason: then emergency help is needed.

Varicose veins by themselves are not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if a varicose vein is bleeding.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: the decision on examination and management is made by a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer