When to See a Doctor for Varicose Veins

Should I see a doctor about my varicose veins?

Many people live with varicose veins for years and wonder whether they are "bad enough" to see someone. A helpful way to decide is to ask three questions:

1. Do my legs bother me? Heaviness, aching, swelling or cramps that affect work, sleep or exercise are good reasons to get checked.
2. Is my skin changing? Darkening, itching, eczema or hardening near the ankles suggest the disease is progressing.
3. Is something new or sudden? A painful, hard vein, bleeding, or sudden swelling needs attention quickly.

If you answer yes to any of these, an assessment makes sense. Remember that LEDAS describes varicose veins as a chronic, progressive disease that does not go away by itself. Earlier care usually means simpler care.

Which symptoms mean I should book an appointment?

Routine appointment (within weeks)

• Legs that feel heavy or tired, especially by evening ( heavy, tired legs )
• Ankle swelling that goes down overnight ( leg and ankle swelling )
• Night cramps several times a week ( night leg cramps )
• Bulging, twisted veins, or spider and blue veins that bother you
• Three or more items on the LEDAS self-check checklist

Prompt appointment (within days)

• Brown or darkened skin that doesn't fade ( skin darkening )
• Itchy, flaky or weeping skin near the ankle
• Skin that feels hard, tight or shiny
• A wound on the lower leg that hasn't healed in two weeks ( venous leg ulcers )
• A varicose vein that has become red, hard and tender ( superficial thrombophlebitis )

When is it an emergency?

Call emergency services (119 in Korea, or your local number) immediately for:

• Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, a racing heart or coughing blood, which can be a pulmonary embolism
• Heavy bleeding from a varicose vein. Lie down, raise the leg above heart level and press firmly on the spot with a clean cloth while help comes

Get same-day urgent care for:

• Sudden swelling, pain, warmth or redness in one leg, which may be a deep vein thrombosis
• A hot, red, spreading area of skin with fever, which may be infection

LEDAS is an outpatient clinic and not an emergency department. In these situations, do not wait for a clinic appointment.

What kind of doctor should I see?

Varicose veins are treated by doctors from several specialties, including vascular surgeons, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, and other physicians trained in vein care (phlebology). More important than the title is experience with vein disease and the use of duplex ultrasound to map reflux before any treatment. Read what kind of doctor treats varicose veins?

At LEDAS, every patient is seen by Dr. Kim Byoung Joon, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, founding member of the Korean Society for Phlebology, who has focused on varicose veins for over 22 years.

What if I just don't like how my veins look?

That is a valid reason to get advice too. Even veins that seem purely cosmetic may sit on top of hidden reflux. An ultrasound tells you whether you are dealing with surface vessels alone, which can be treated with sclerotherapy , or a deeper problem that should be addressed first so results last.

How quickly should you act?

When to see a vein doctor – frequently asked questions