• What are varicose veins?
  • They are large, bulging veins that you can see under the skin surface.
  • They most commonly occur in the legs.
  • They are often a sign of underlying venous insufficiency or “leaky veins,” in which the valves fail to efficiently pump blood toward the heart, resulting in pooling of blood in the legs.
• Symptoms include:      
  • Heaviness, burning or aching in the legs, especially after prolonged standing
  • Swelling of the legs
  • Itching or bleeding from veins
  • Skin discoloration
  • Superficial blood clots
  • Skin ulcers

• Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the skin surface.
• They can be red, blue or purple in color.
• They are named “spider veins” because they often look like spiderwebs.
• Spider veins can be a sign of an underlying vein disorder.

• Sometimes, people with advanced vein disease will develop open sores or ulcers associated with their underlying venous condition.
• These sores are often painful and slow to heal and can be complicated by infection.
• We work closely with the Mount Nittany Health Center for Wound Care to provide care for patients suffering from venous ulcers.
• Treatment often includes a combination of wound care, compression and vein ablation.

To schedule a consultation with our vein experts, call 814.689.3140 or visit MyMountNittanyHealth.com.