Find relief for swollen veins

Unsightly varicose veins might affect your self-confidence, but there are things that can help

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Varicose veins affect up to 40% of UK adults, with many sufferers feeling more self-conscious in the summer when the hotter weather makes us want to reach for shorts, skirts and swimwear.

How confident women feel in summer clothing is already low, with just 16% saying they feel comfortable wearing shorts, even on holiday. The presence of varicose veins adds another layer of self-consciousness.

Varicose veins are large bulging veins that can be seen pressing out of the skin, most commonly on the legs. They bulge because of the pressure of the blood inside them. Left untreated, they can lead to swelling, ulcers, chronic pain and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

They result from valve failure in leg veins, which is influenced by genetics. Other factors include age, sex, pregnancy, obesity and long periods on your feet.

Venous surgeon Professor Mark Whiteley, founder of The Whiteley Clinic, says, "These other factors probably don't affect your risk of getting varicose veins, but increase the rate of deterioration."