Different veins: photos, stages and classification

23 July 2025

According to statistics, about 83% of the population face disease as varicose veins of the lower limbs.Therefore, it is important to know what varicose veins look like at the initial stage.This will identify the disease in a timely manner and prevent the development of possible complications.

Types of varicose veins

The disease of the veins, which is accompanied by their expansion, sample and destruction of the valve apparatus, can affect different organs of the body.Therefore, the classification of this pathology is based on the site of its localization.

According to the International Classification of Diseases at the 10th Review, such types of diseases are distinguished:

Different veins of the circulatory system.
Expansion of the veins of the digestive tract.
The accumulation of multiple pathological clots in one place.
Varicose of the lymph nodes and vessels that are not systematized in other sections.
Expansion of varicose veins of the lower limbs.

The use of ICD 10 in medical practice allows the phlebologist to make the correct diagnosis and differentiation of varicose veins.

In turn, varicose veins of the lower limbs, depending on the course of the course, are classified in the disease with:

Ulcer lesions.
Progressive inflammatory processes.
Ulcer and inflammation.
Flbactasia of the legs, uncertain etiology or unspecified localization.
Different leg veins or other part with skin damage.
Lack of deformity of veins with ulcers, maintenance or inflammatory processes.

Considering the main places for locating pathological changes, varicose veins are distinguished:

Surface veins.
Deep veins.
Reticular.

The extensive classification of varicose veins is determined by polyetiological and wide variety of possibilities for the course of the disease.In the differentiation of pathology, modern phlebologists use not only ICD-10, but also the classification of the disease by form.

In medical practice, such forms of varicose veins are distinguished:

Partial damage to the blood vessels from the subcutaneous and intradermal type without the back flow.
Segmental lesion with the back flow of blood in all veins.
Extensive damage with the disposal of pathological etiology in subcutaneous veins and perforators.
A common lesion of veins with abnormal ejection through deep veins.

The deformity of the veins and the dysfunction in them of the bloodstream can be of several types.Only phlebologist is able to properly diagnose and detect the type of varicose enlargement based on the results of a complex examination.

Varicose veins

Depending on the process of progression of the disease, varicose veins have 4 stages of development.Each is characterized by certain symptoms.

In the first stage, the weight in the legs and the pain of the sick nature is felt.Vascular stars, captive veins and swelling are visualized.Perhaps involuntary spasm of the calf muscles and the manifestation of burning in the area of the legs.It is characterized by a lack of stagnation in the blood.
The second degree of varicose veins is accompanied by the fasting of oxygen of the venous system.It is characterized by a rapid increase in the size and number of vascular nodes and stars.Such damage clearly expressed boundaries, which contributes to their more bright manifestation.Perhaps their grouping in the same zone of defeat is slightly behind the area.In this case, the pain and swelling of the soft tissues are enhanced.
With the third degree of varicose veins, trophic lesions are formed on the medial surface of the lower leg.It is characterized by the appearance of brown areas of the skin, which with the progression of the disease are covered with dry bark and crack.Dermatitis is possible against the background.The presence of large edema becomes dangerous.There is a lot of fatigue and pain.
The fourth degree is complications of the disease.They can occur in the form of the development of inflammatory processes, trophic ulcers on the walls of the veins.Bleeding is possible with mechanical damage to the seals.This degree is dangerous with the ability to develop venous insufficiency, which can subsequently take a chronic form.

In the third and fourth stages, the patient begins to experience severe pain of different nature, both in the muscles and along the venous trunks.It is extremely rare, there may be rupture of nodes, accompanied by insignificant blood loss.Most often, such a sign manifests itself at night.If hyperthermia and increased weakness occur with varicose veins, this directly indicates the appearance of complications of the disease.

Varicosis itself is not a dangerous disease that is not subject to therapy.But it is worth noting that this pathology does not go on its own and progresses quickly.The identification of first -degree varicose veins significantly increases the conditions of rapid and successful recovery.Fourth -grade fourth varicose veins are dangerous to the body and human life.

Stages of varicose veins of the lower limbs

Varicose veins are characterized by several stages of pathology.Each of which determines the spread of the disease and has certain characteristics.There are many classifications in the stages of varicose veins, each of which has its own symptoms and therapy.

Most of all, in professional practice, modern phlebologists use the classification of varicose veins at the degree of changes in blood flow in the vessels of the body.The founder of such division of varicose veins into stages is Savelyev.

According to his conclusions, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:

Compensation.It is characterized by the presence of problems of cosmetic manifestation.There are no symptoms of thrombosis, but signs of the initial stage of varicose veins of the legs are detected when examining the patient.Depending on the etiology of the pathology, the stage of compensation of varicose veins without appropriate treatment throughout the year can develop in varicose veins of the second degree.
Subcompensation.The blood vessels are subject to deformation and are clearly manifested on the surface of the legs.Varicose at the sub -mumping stage is accompanied by pain and swelling of the lower limbs.There is a feeling of heaviness, a feeling of cracking and significantly increases the sensitivity of the skin.The swelling on the legs intensifies in the evening and the next morning disappears.
Decompensation.The visual signs of pathologists are increasing significantly.Venous networks and nodes are no longer only in the area, but also in volumes.An intense sensation of itching appears.The surface of the skin acquires a dark shade, becomes dry and shiny.At this stage, a small hemorrhage occurs, which provokes the deposition of hemosiderin, which leads to hyperpigmentation of the skin in the affected areas.

The initial stage of varicose veins for each organism is different.The intensity of the manifestation of its symptoms and the duration of this period is individual and depends on many factors.Therefore, with the manifestation of the smallest signs of pathology, you should immediately seek qualified medical attention.Timely treatment will prevent the development of more serious stages of varicose veins.

The initial stage of varicose veins of the legs: treatment of pathology

In varicose veins, the effectiveness of the therapeutic course directly depends on the timely manifestation of the pathology.Qualified medical care in the initial stage of the disease's development allows you to completely restore the integrity of the vascular wall and the functionality of the damaged veins.

The treatment of varicose veins at the initial stage is performed in complete and consists of:

Complex use of the venotonics.For complex effects on the veins, oral administration of tablets is performed.Among them, Detralex and Vasott are popular.The use of local medicines in the form of ointments and gels also has a high therapeutic effect.In the initial stage of the disease, heparin ointment quickly and effectively stops the symptoms.
Sclerotherapy.Flboology, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease, is performed by: microsclergenrapy, echosclergenrapy or foam sclerotherapy.The minimum technique consists in the introduction of special medicines, sclerosants in Vienna with thin needles.After the procedure, the mandatory wearing of a special compression knitter.The effectiveness of sclerotherapy explains its use in the stage of compensation for varicose veins of the lower limbs.
Ozone therapy.Refers to physiotherapy treatment, which acts as one of the components of complex therapy of varicose veins at the initial stage.Such procedures enhance the nutrition of oxygen cells and stimulate blood circulation through the veins.As a result of this adhesion of the affected walls of the blood vessels.

Each of the methods of therapy for varicose veins requires mandatory medical prescription and control.The suicide of varicose veins is strictly prohibited.

The varicose veins of the lower limbs of the initial degree are difficult to diagnose independently.Visual information on the Internet contributes to visual familiarization with characteristic signs of pathology.

Usually varicose veins look like enlargement of the veins, which causes cosmetic discomfort, causes pain in the legs, cramps at night, trophic changes in the leg area.The enlargement of the veins is different from small vascular stars and knots to large stem stem, protruding plexuses, which are clearly visible in the upright position.

In 75 - 80 % of cases, the barrel or branches of a large subcutaneous vein suffer.The smaller Vienna is easier - its lesions are observed in only 5 - 10 % of cases.When you feel that the vein looks elastic, it can be easily compressed, and the temperature above the container is slightly higher than in all other parts of the epidermis.This is due to the release of arterial blood and blood from deep veins through the communicative vessels to enlarged nodes located on the surface.In a horizontal position, the vein tension disappears and the dimensions of the affected nodes are reduced.In some cases, it is possible to investigate small defects in the sites of perforated compounds and surface veins.The longer the disease develops, the more unpleasant symptoms feel.There are rapid fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the lower limbs, paresthesia, swelling of the legs and legs.The latter usually appear closer in the evening, and in the morning after the break they disappear.

What does varicose veins look like - photos and signs

When a woman begins to notice even minor vascular networks on the surface of the skin of the lower limbs, she has the question of what varicose veins they look at her feet. The disease belongs to the insidious ones as they are able to manifest themselves for a large period of time.

Illness

Varicose of the lower limbs is stagnation in the blood system, which causes enlargement of the veins.In 80% of cases, the disease occurs precisely on the legs as they represent the most exertion due to walking, constant physical activity.

Each leg vein has a specific valve responsible for the proper blood flow.This helps to avoid blood stagnation and malfunction of the circulatory system.The disease occurs when blood flow is impaired, the blood begins to flow not only up but also down.This happens due to improper operation of the venous valves.The vessels lose their previous elasticity, deformation.This is the initial stage of varicose veins.

Varicose veins can appear on any part of the legs: on the hips, below the knee, on the lower legs, on the legs.Varicose of the feet is manifested in the form of blue stars, small red or blue patterns.

Vascular surgeons warn that the risk areas of varicose lesions are the hips and lower legs.A woman should be careful about the condition of the legs and timely notice the changes that arise.

On the thighs, the disease manifests itself in the form of large lines that resemble rivers.The photo of varicose veins of the legs marks vascular nets, stars.On the lower leg, the structure of the pathology is similar to the location of the hips, but only at the initial stage.With the neglect of the disease, large bruises appear on the lower legs, a rash that resembles blue and red bags.

Noticing the disease is most difficult at the knee.There is a slight ejection of the veins into a blue hue, red nets may appear.Varicose of the legs is the most dangerous of all places, the place is more susceptible to negative effects of external factors, physical activity.

For the first signs presented in the photo of varicose veins of the legs (small red nets, webs, blue dots), it is necessary to buy elastic socks, to consult a vascular surgeon.

Defeat

The disease is classified according to the degree of vascular damage and veins on the legs.Modern doctors use the international classification to make a diagnosis.It distinguishes 7 major degrees of varicose veins on the legs:

Zero, difficult to diagnose.It is impossible to identify, it is impossible to notice the signs of the disease.Many women write them down to the usual fatigue of the legs.There is a weight in the legs, "buzzing", swelling, rare convulsions (especially at night).If you take an exam, it can give a false negative result;
1 degree looks in the picture, like small nets and stars on the legs.The patient also feels all accompanying zero signs.They appear closer in the evening or slightly during the day;
2 degrees - more pronounced than symptoms, one can independently recognize the disease.Blue and red lines appear on the surface of the legs, the stars and the net become a convex appearance.The patient begins to notice that the veins have become much more bigger.The signs of pathology become more pronounced after the active load of the limbs;The higher the degree of leg damage, the greater the likelihood of complications of the cardiovascular system.Varicose is a disease of the entire circulatory system, therefore it is accompanied by pathologies in cardiac activity, impaired blood formation process.

Type

Varicose can be damaged by certain vessels.Depending on which of them has not failed in the work, doctors distinguish several types of pathology:

In order to understand what the disease looks like, it is necessary to consider each type of varicose veins of the legs separately:

The name of the reticular name comes from the reticular veins, which has a diameter of no more than 2 mm in size.This type will be presented in the photo in the form of small nets, thin lines, stars of the legs.They are noticeable as they are located near the surface of the dermis.Women often notice similar manifestations on the lateral surface of the thigh.Reticular varicose veins are not dangerous.Such a variety of the disease does not bring discomfort (except aesthetics), it does not cause serious complications.
Highway appearance - affecting the trunk of a small or large subcutaneous vein, which leads to the expansion of the protocol veins.The name also comes from failure in the work of a particular vein - trunk.If a large vessel is damaged, the picture of varicose veins of the legs will be this: large tubercles similar to rivers, curved lines.In the case of a malfunction of a small vein, such signs appear, but have a more pronounced form.This is a dangerous form of pathology that threatens untimely treatment with serious complications;
Segmental.The prototing veins are affected by a diameter of 3 mm.These are large vessels, so the disease can be detected independently.The symptoms are presented in the photo of varicose veins in the initial stage of the segmental type.It is a small swelling, small tubercles on the surface of the dermis.They have no blue or red hue.With the untimely search for a doctor, the tubercles can expand and turn into large bruises.In the case of early diagnosis of the disease, you can get rid of sclerotherapy;
Perforatory and most dangerous varicose veins comes from the name of perforative veins.They play a huge role in the circulatory system.These veins connect deep vessels with surfaces.Often such damage leads to surgery.In the photo, the disease resembles large or medium tubercles, irregularities on the surface of the skin.They can be single or merge into one structure, becoming even more volume in size.

It is important to seek medical attention to avoid unpleasant consequences, not to bring the disease the need for surgery.The main is also the prevention of varicose veins.It consists in wearing comfortable straight shoes made of natural fabrics with orthopedic sole.Do not give excessive loading to the lower limbs.Men, like women, should be more careful to their feet, often inspecting them in the presence of damage and symptoms of varicose veins.

What does varicose veins look like - photos and signs

What does varicose veins look like?

Different veins - the disease is very insidious, since the first signs of its development usually pass for a person imperceptibly.As a rule, the patient perceives fatigue and severity in the legs due to difficult working days.

In many cases, this is, but this is not a reason not to observe the condition of the blood vessels of the lower limbs.Therefore, we will further talk about what this disease is, and we will also look at the species and extent of the manifestation of varicose veins in the photo.

Different veins - characteristics of pathology

Varicose of the feet is not only a cosmetic problem that causes people's concern about their appearance, but also a very dangerous pathology that requires adequate, timely therapy and adherence to preventive measures.

Reference.Hunger faces suffer from varicose veins several times more than men.

Varicose veins of the lower limbs- A disease that is characterized by the appearance of the enlargement of the veins.In addition, there is a violation of the blood flow, which leads to stagnant phenomena in the circulatory system.

To find out what varicose veins are (see photo) you must consider the process of its occurrenceS

The veins located on the feet haveSpecial valvesSThey performThe blood passes exclusively in one direction (up) and prevents stagnation.

Failure in the functioning of these valves leads to the fact thatThe blood is able to move in the opposite direction (down), which prevents its outflow.

As a result, the vessels lose normal elasticity and under the blood pressure begins to expand and deform.All this provokes the development of the initial stage of the disease.

Reference.Symptoms of the disease may occur in different areas of the lower limbs, especially the hips, below the knees, the calves are often found and varicose veins (a photo above).

Factors provoking the development of this pathology are a huge number:Starting with a sedentary lifestyle, physical overloads, bad habits and ending with hereditary predisposition, hormonal malfunctions and congenital weakness on the walls of the blood vessels.

Many people, without realizing the seriousness of the problem, are in no hurry to contact a specialist, but are beginning to practice self -self -esteem.

However, this is not production, as the independent use of vascular drugs is harmful to health.In addition, they are not able to solve the problem.A competent integrated approach is required here.

Once we have determined the characteristics of the development of the pathology, then we will look at how varicose veins of the legs look depending on the type of development.

Varicose veins

The community of scientists in the world systematizes the manifestations of varicose disease of the lower limbs.

ReferenceSThis classification is called Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology).

In accordance with the compiled classification, 7 degrees (stages) of the disease are distinguished:

zero- The condition in which one experiences a weight in the legs, swelling, convulsions, but does not manifest visually.No deviations are determined during special examinations;
1 degree varicose veins (see photo below)- vascular stars appear and the same signs are observed as in the previous degree;
Second- bulging veins or blue -colored nodes become noticeable, which can be increased in size from excessive exercise or prolonged stay in one position;
Third- All of the above features are complemented by regular swelling, which is especially noticeable in the evening.It may disappear in the morning, but by the evening it reappears;
Fourth-Due to Power Leather, trophic processes in the vascular system begin.Around the veins the skin becomes brown or black.Skin inflammation can develop: from a little redness to large crying wounds;
Fifth- all 4 -degree symptoms plus pronounced prolonged trophic ulcer;
Sixth- actively acting, non -existent trophic ulcer.

Such a disease should be treated immediately and so much better, the better.The last stages of varicose veins are dangerous, but also possible serious complications that can lead to death.

In addition, photos from the first stage of varicose veins look quite normal, but the photos of the subsequent are shocked.

Conclusion

The information and photos of varicose veins should make you think about what you need to be careful about your health and lead the right lifestyle.Preventive measures in this case are the ability to avoid this disease.

If, by virtue of the anatomical characteristics of the body, there are damage to the veins, then they must be treated immediately.

Varicose veins need emergency treatment, the absence of which can become serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from venous nodes and a trophic ulcer capable of provoking the amputation of the leg.