Varicose veins: photos, stages and classification

23 July 2025

According to statistics, approximately 83% of the population faces a disease such as varicose veins of the lower extremities.Therefore, it is important to know how varicose veins are seen in the initial stage.This will timely identify the disease and prevent the development of possible complications.

Types of varicose veins

The disease of the veins, which is accompanied by its expansion, blog and the destruction of the valve apparatus, can affect several organs of the body.Therefore, the classification of this pathology is based on the place of its location.

According to the International Classification of Diseases of the Tenth Revision, these types of disease are distinguished:

Varicose veins of the blood circulation system.
Expansion of the veins of the digestive tract.
The accumulation of numerous pathological clots in one place.
Varicosis of lymph nodes and vessels that are not systematized in other sections.
Varicose expansion of the lower extremities.

The use of ICD 10 in medical practice allows a pharmothyticologist to make an adequate diagnosis and differentiation of varicose veins.

In turn, varicose veins in the lower extremities, depending on the stage of the course, is classified in the disease with:

Ulcer lesions.
Progressive inflammatory processes.
Ulcer and inflammation.
Leg phlebactasis, uncertain etiology or un specified location.
The varicose veins of the legs or another with damage to the skin.
Lack of deformation of veins with ulcers, suppuration or inflammatory processes.

Taking into account the main places of location of pathological changes, varicose veins are distinguished:

Superficial veins
Deep veins.
Reticular

The wide classification of varicose veins is determined by poleetiological and a wide variety of options 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 forms.

In medical practice, such varicose veins forms are distinguished:

Partial damage to blood vessels of the subcutaneous and intradermal type without reverse output output.
Segmental defeat with a reverse blood exit in all veins.
An extensive defeat with the discharge of pathological etiology in veins and subcutaneous perforators.
A common vein lesion with an abnormal discharge through deep veins.

The deformation of the vein and the dysfunction in them of the blood flow can be of various types.Only a phlebologist can diagnose and correctly establish a type of varicose expansion based on the results of a complex exam.

The degree of varicose veins

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

In the first stage, the severity in the legs and pain of the painful nature feels.Vascular stars, knotted veins and swelling are displayed.Perhaps involuntary spasm of the calf muscles and the manifestation of burning in the foot area.It is characterized by the absence of stagnation in the bloodstream.
The second degree of varicose veins is accompanied by the starvation of the oxygen of the venous system.It is characterized by a rapid increase in the size and number of vascular nodes and stars.Such damage has clearly expressed limits, which contributes to its brightest manifestation.Perhaps his group in the same area of defeat is small behind the area.In this case, pain and swelling of soft tissues are improved.
With the third degree of varicose veins, trophic lesions of the medial surface of the lower leg are formed.It is characterized by the appearance of brown areas in the skin, which, with the progression of the disease, are covered with dry bark and cracks.With respect to its background, dermatitis is possible.The presence of big edema becomes dangerous.There is a lot of fatigue and pain.
The fourth grade is the complications of the disease.They may appear in the form of development of inflammatory processes, trophic ulcers in the walls of the veins.Bleeding is possible with mechanical damage to stamps.This degree is dangerous with the possibility of developing venous insufficiency, which can later acquire a chronic form.

In the third and fourth stage, the patient begins to experience the severe pain of a different nature, both in the muscles and in the venous trunks.It is extremely rare, there may be a breakdown of nodes, accompanied by an insignificant blood loss.Most of the time, such a sign is manifested at night.Yes, with varicose veins, hyperthermia and increased weakness, then this directly indicates the appearance of disease complications.

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

Stages of the varicose veins of the lower extremities

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

Especially in professional practice, modern phlebologists use the classification of varicose veins through the degree of changes in blood flow in the body's vessels.The founder of such separation of varicose veins in stages is Savelyv.

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

Compensation.It is characterized by the presence of cosmetic manifestation problems.There are no thrombosis symptoms, but when examining the patient, there are signs of the initial stage of varicose veins on the legs.Depending on the etiology of pathology, the compensation stage of varicose veins without proper treatment throughout the year can become second -degree varicose veins.
Subcompensation.The blood vessels are subject to deformation and are clearly manifested on the surface of the legs.The varicosis of the subcompensation stage is accompanied by pain and swelling of the lower extremities.There is a feeling of gravity, the sensation of explosion and significantly increases skin sensitivity.The swelling in the legs intensifies at night, and the next morning disappears.
Decompensation.The visual signs of pathologists increase significantly.Venous networks and nodes no longer become only in the area, but also in volumes.An intensive peak sensation appears.The skin surface acquires a dark tone, becomes dry and bright.At this stage, there is a small bleeding, which causes the deposition of HOSOSIDERINA, which leads to the hyperpigmentation of the skin in the affected areas.

The initial stage of the varicose veins for each organism proceeds differently.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 slightest pathology signs, you must immediately seek qualified medical care.The timely treatment will prevent the development of more serious stages of the varicose veins.

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

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

The treatment of varicose veins of the initial stage is carried out in an integral way and consists of:

Complex use of venotonics.For complex effects in the veins, the oral intake of tablets preparations is carried out.Among them, Detail and Vasott are popular.The use of local drugs 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 symptoms.
Sclerotherapy.Flebology, taking into account the clinical image of the disease, is carried out by: microsclerotherapy, ecosclerarapy or foam sclerotherapy.The minimum technique consists in the introduction of special drugs, scleritos in Vienna with thin needles.After the procedure, the mandatory use of special compression knit clothes.The effectiveness of sclerotherapy explains its use in the compensation stage for the varicose veins of the lower extremities.
Ozonotherapy.It refers to physiotherapeutic treatment, which acts as one of the components of complex therapy of varicose veins in the initial stage.These procedures improve the nutrition of cells with oxygen and stimulate blood circulation through the veins.As a result, paste the affected walls of the blood vessels.

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

Varicose veins in the lower extremities of the initial degree are difficult to diagnose independently.Visual information on the Internet contributes to visual familiarization with characteristic pathology signs.

Typically, varicose veins seem an expansion of the veins, which causes cosmetic inconveniences, causes leg pain, cramps at night, trophic changes in the leg area.The expansion of the veins is of different small vascular stars and knots to large stem trunks, outstanding plexuses, which are clearly visible in a vertical position.

In 75 - 80 % of cases, barrel or branches of a large subcutaneous vein suffer.Minor Vienna is easier: her injuries are observed only in 5 to 10 % of cases.When feeling the vein seems to be elastic, it can be easily compressed and the temperature on the affected vessel is slightly higher than in all other parts of the epidermis.This is due to the release of arterial blood and blood of deep veins through the communicative vessels to the varicose ganglia located on the surface.In a horizontal position, the voltage with the veins decreases and the dimensions of the affected nodes are reduced.In some cases, it is possible to probe small defects in the places of compounds of the perforating and superficial veins.The more the disease develops, the more unpleasant symptoms they feel.Fast fatigue, a feeling of heaviness appears in the lower extremities, paresthesia, swelling in the legs and feet.The latter usually arises closer at night, and in the morning after the break they disappear.

How do you see varicose veins?

When a woman begins to notice even insignificant vascular networks on the surface of the skin of the lower extremities, she has the question of which varicose veins are seen in her legs.The disease belongs to Insidious, since they may not manifest for a large amount of time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE

The varicosis of the lower extremities is the stagnation in the blood system that causes the expansion of the veins.In 80% of cases, the disease occurs accurately in the legs, since they represent the largest load due to constant physical activity.

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

The varicose veins can appear anywhere on the legs: in the hips, under the knee, at the bottom of the leg, on the feet.Leg varicosis manifests itself in the form of blue stars, small red or blue patterns.

Vascular surgeons warn that the risk areas of varicose lesions are the lower hips and legs.A woman must be careful with the state of the legs and notice the changes that arise in a timely manner.

In the hips, the disease manifests itself in the form of large lines that resemble the rivers.In the photo of the varicose veins on the legs, vascular networks are observed.At the bottom of the leg, the structure of the pathology is similar to the location in the hips, but only in the initial stage.With the negligence of the disease, great bruises appear at the bottom of the leg, an eruption that resembles the blue and red bags.

Noticing the disease is more difficult under the knee.There is a small discharge of the veins of a blue tone, red networks may appear.Feet varicosis is the most dangerous of all places, the site is more susceptible to the negative influences of external factors, physical activity.

In the first signs presented in the photo of the varicose veins on the legs (small red networks, cobwebs, blue points), it is necessary to buy elastic socks, consult a vascular surgeon.

Degree of defeat

The disease is classified according to the degree of vascular damage and the veins in the legs.Modern doctors use the international classification to make a diagnosis.Distinguish 7 main degrees of varicose veins in 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 about the usual fatigue of the legs.There is a severity in the legs, "buzzing", swelling, rare seizures (especially night).If you perform an exam, you can give a negative false result;
1 grade look in the photo, like small networks and stars on the legs.The patient also feels all the accompanying signs of the zero degree.They appear more closely at night or slightly during the day;
2 degrees: more pronounced by symptoms, a person can independently recognize the disease.Blue and red lines occur on the surface of the legs, stars and mesh acquire a bulky appearance.The patient begins to notice that the veins have become much larger.Pathology signs become more pronounced after active load in the limbs;The greater the degree of damage to the legs, the more likely to obtain complications in the cardiovascular system.Varicosis is a disease of the entire circulatory system, therefore, it is accompanied by pathologies in heart activity, the altered blood formation process.

Types of disease

Varicosis can be damaged by certain vessels.Depending on what of them fail at work, doctors distinguish several types of pathology:

To understand how the disease looks, it is necessary to consider each type of varicose veins in the legs separately:

The name of the reticular comes from the reticular veins, which has a diameter of the size of no more than 2 mm.This species will be presented in the photo in the form of small networks, thin lines, leg stars.They are notable, since they are near the surface of the dermis.Women often notice such 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 for aesthetics), it does not cause serious complications.
Magistral appearance: The trunk of a small or large subcutaneous vein is affected, which leads to the expansion of protocol veins.The name also comes from a failure in the work of a certain vein: trunk.If a large container is damaged, the image of the varicose veins in the legs will be this: large tubers similar to rivers, curved lines.By not working badly at the work of a small vein, similar signs occur, but they have a less pronounced form.This is a dangerous form of pathology, which threatens an inopportune treatment with serious complications;
Segmental.The prototoric veins are affected, with a diameter of 3 mm.These are large vessels, so the disease can be detected independently.The symptoms occur in the photo of the varicose veins in the initial stage of the segmental type.It represents a small swelling, small tubers on the surface of the dermis.They do not have a blue or red tone.With an inappropriate search for a doctor, tubers can expand and become great bruises.In case of early diagnosis of the disease, it can get rid of sclerotherapy;
The drilling and more dangerous varicose veins come from the name of the perforating veins.They play a very important role in the circulatory system.These veins connect deep vessels to the surfaces.Often, such defeat leads to surgery.In the photo, the disease resembles large or medium tubers, irregularities on the skin surface.They can be single or merge into a single structure, more and more bulky in size.

It is important to seek medical help to avoid unpleasant consequences, not bringing the disease to the need for surgery.The main one is also the prevention of varicose veins.It consists of wearing a convenient correct shoes made of natural fabrics with orthopedic sole.Do not give an excessive load in the lower extremities.Men, like women, must be more attentive to their feet, often inspect them on the presence of damage and symptoms of varicose veins.

How do you see varicose veins?

Varicose veins: The disease is very insidious, since the first signs of its development generally go through an imperceptibly.As a general rule, the patient perceives fatigue and heaviness in the legs as a result of large days of work.

In many cases, it is, but this is not a reason not to monitor the state of blood vessels in the lower extremities.Therefore, we will talk more about what this disease is, and we will also consider the types and degree of manifestation of the varicose veins in the photo.

Varicose veins: Characteristics of the pathology

Leg varicosis is not only a cosmetic problem that causes people's concern about their appearance, but also a very dangerous pathology that requires adequate and timely observance of preventive measures.

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

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

To understand what varicose veins are (see photo), you must consider the process of your occurrence.

The veins located on the legs haveSpecial valves.They carry outBlood passes exclusively in a direction (above) and prevents it from stagnating.

The failure in the operation of these valves leads to the fact thatBlood has the opportunity to move in the opposite direction (down), which avoids its exit.

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

Reference.The symptoms of the disease can manifest in several areas of the lower extremities, especially in the hips, under the knees, in the calves, the varicose veins are also found (photo below).

The factors that cause the development of this pathology are a large number:Starting with a sedentary lifestyle, physical overloads, bad habits and ending with hereditary predisposition, hormonal malfunction and congenital weakness of the walls of the blood vessels.

Many people, without realizing the seriousness of the problem, are not in a hurry to contact a specialist, but begin to practice the car -Medication.

However, this is not a production, since the independent use of vascular drugs is harmful to health.In addition, they cannot solve the problem.Here you need a competent integrated approach.

Having determined the characteristics of the development of the pathology, we will consider how varicose veins are seen in the legs depending on the type of development.

The degree of varicose veins

The world's community of scientists systematized the manifestations of the varicose disease of the lower extremities.

Reference.This classification is called anatomy of clinical etiology).

According to the compiled classification, 7 degrees (stages) of the disease are distinguished:

zero- The condition in which a person experiences severity in the legs, swelling, seizures, but not expressed visual.During special exams, no deviations are determined;
1 grade varicose veins (see photo below)- Vascular stars appear and the same signs are observed as in the previous degree;
The second- The bulky veins or blue nodules become notable, which can increase in size from excessive physical effort or prolonged stay in a position;
The third- All the above characteristics are complemented with a regular swelling, which is especially noticed at night.In the morning, it may disappear, but at night it appears again;
Four-And to the energy failure, the trophic processes in the vascular system begin.Around the veins, the skin becomes brown or black.Skin inflammation can develop: from a small redness to large crying wounds;
Fifth- All the symptoms of the fourth grade most pronounced prolonged trophic ulcer;
Sixth- Active active, trophic ulcer that does not stick.

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

In addition, the photos of the first stage of the varicose veins are quite normal, but the photos of the posterior are surprised.

Conclusion

The information and images of the varicose veins should make you think of what should be attentive to your health and lead the appropriate lifestyle.Preventive measures in this case are the ability to avoid this disease.

If, by virtue of the anatomical characteristics of the body, there were defeats of the vein, then they should be treated immediately.

Varicose veins need urgent treatment, whose absence can become serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding of venous nodes and a trophic ulcer, capable of causing leg amputation.