Q1. What are varicose veins?

A1. Varicose veins are blue or purple coloured twisted veins which appear to bulge on the surface of your skin. Many people compare them to tree roots or twisted cords.

They are often lumpy, swollen and knotted in appearance and look and feel unpleasant.

There is more than one type of varicose vein which includes the thick "trunk-like" veins, the "reticular" veins (red veins) and the smaller spider veins.

Varicose veins usually develop in the superficial veins of the leg.

Find out more in our varicose veins section.