Do not ignore the appearance of blue and green veins on your legs, feet, or ankles, as they may result from venous insufficiency or vein disease. They may be a cosmetic issue, too, but you must seek medical assistance to know what is causing them and prevent them from becoming painful. The vein doctor specialist Dr. Sergei Sobolevsky will thoroughly investigate your bulging, twisted, and discolored veins using the most advanced diagnostic equipment and recommend the best therapies to ensure long-term vein health at the Downtown Vein & Vascular Center.
There are many reasons why blue or green veins become visible through the skin. They may include the varying wavelengths of different colors, your natural complexion, and even your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Venous insufficiency or vein disease is the most common reason your veins appear blue and green beneath the skin surface. Sometimes blue and green veins can also signify the underlying medical condition and must be carefully investigated by a vein specialist. Vein diseases, if left untreated, can lead to painful and unsightly varicose veins and result in other venous and circulation issues.
Symptoms of vein diseases include:
- Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles
- Cramps or aches in legs
- Tired and heavy legs
- Restlessness, especially at night
- Itchy, dry, or hard skin on the legs
- Wounds that do not heal easily
- Leg pain that goes away when you walk or elevate your legs
Knowing why your veins are blue and green is important as it can affect your vein health and overall wellbeing. Visit your doctor to have your blue and green veins evaluated as only an experienced and expert physician can diagnose your condition accurately and determine the course of action.
Blood Circulatory System and Venous Conditions
The circulation system is truly the lifeblood of the body. The heart is responsible for pumping blood, oxygen, and other essential nutrients that help the body function typically. Arteries, veins, and capillaries are the blood vessels that transport the blood to all parts of the body.
The arteries carry the bright red, oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other body parts, including the organs and tissues. Veins are responsible for collecting the used, oxygen-depleted blood and transporting it back to the heart for re-oxygenation. Capillaries connect the arteries to the veins and help with blood circulation.
Arteries are located deep in the body, while veins are closer to the skin. Their location makes them more visible than any other type of blood vessel. People with a light complexion, aging skin, and other factors have more visible veins than the general population.
It is important to note that prominent blue, green or purple veins are not always a sign of good health and must be checked by an expert. If the veins bulge out or become painful, it may be a sign of venous insufficiency and needs timely medical attention. Venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs cannot push the blood back up to the heart.
Are Visible Blue Veins a Cause for Concern?
Noticing visible blue and green veins does not mean you should rush to the emergency room, but you should not ignore your condition. Keep an eye on your symptoms to seek the best medical advice regarding treatment.
Signs you should look out for include:
- Pain and discomfort due to leg swelling
- Cramping
- Heaviness
- Odd sensations like itching and burning
If your blue veins are symptomatic and rise above the skin, they are probably varicose veins. Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue but are also a sign that your blood circulation system is not working right. When the valves in the vein malfunction, they fail to pump the blood back to the heart, and it begins to pool in the ankles, legs, and feet. Untreated varicose veins increase your risk of dangerous health conditions.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you notice sudden bulging of blue and green veins, seek immediate medical help. Bulging veins accompanied by pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration, and warmth indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition causes clotting in blood or superficial thrombophlebitis (ST), another type of blood clot that can lead to life-threatening consequences.
The doctor will also look for venous ulcers or non-healing wounds on the leg, increasing the risk of skin and blood infections. The most effective vein treatment involves addressing the underlying disease.
Treating Vein Diseases
Vein diseases are not easy to diagnose or treat as problematic veins are not always visible. You may experience signs like swelling, pain, or cramping in the legs without visible blue or green veins.
Your damaged veins may be visible but not appear dark or enlarged in some cases. The presence of tiny, painless spider veins can be an early sign of vein disease.
If you are at high risk for vein disease, the doctor will closely monitor you for early signs to prevent any complications in the future. Your risk of developing vein diseases increases if you are:
- Female
- Pregnant
- More than 50 years
- Hypertensive
- Diabetic
- Closely related to someone with varicose veins
- Mostly standing or sitting in one place for a long time
Do not waste time seeking medical attention if you are concerned about your visible veins or feel uncomfortable. The doctor will review your symptoms and perform tests, including bloodwork and ultrasound, to check the vein condition and recommend the most effective treatment options.
A range of procedures is available to seal or remove varicose veins for problematic cases. Evolution of
technology has led to fewer invasive procedures and techniques that provide quick relief.
Non-invasive treatments for varicose veins include:
- Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)
- ClariVein
- Varithena foam treatment
- Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
- Visual sclerotherapy
The vein specialist will recommend the best therapy or even suggest a combination of procedures to relieve the bulging and discolored veins depending on your specific condition and severity of symptoms.
Read more: Artery vs. Vein: What’s the Difference?
There is no need to panic if your veins turn blue and green or if you are at high risk of varicose veins. Please consult an expert doctor to know more about your vein health and get an accurate diagnosis of what is causing it. Dr. Sergei Sobolevsky at the Downtown Vein & Vascular Center will determine if you are suffering from vein disease and come up with the best solutions to alleviate any painful and uncomfortable symptoms. You can maintain leg and vein health with minimally invasive procedures and get back to normal activities within a short time.
Sergei Sobolevsky, MD, is a leading specialist in endovascular medicine with experience in vascular and interventional radiology. Dr. Sobolevsky has decades of experience in the field, with over 25,000 procedures performed, accumulating extensive experience in image-guided minimally invasive medicine, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions.
Dr. Sobolevsky earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1997 from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He received his specialty clinical training in vascular and interventional radiology at Harvard University. Later, he earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and named to the Top Doctors New York Metro Area in 2020, 2021, and 2022, Dr. Sobolevsky is licensed in multiple states, has delivered presentations at numerous institutions in the US and abroad, and now acts as a clinical advisor for the biomedical industry. He also held multiple positions in the field during his career, including Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, NY, Senior Vice President in Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Artann Laboratories in North Brunswick, NJ, and Medical Director at the American Endovascular and Amputation Prevention Center in Brooklyn.
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