Medically reviewed by Duc Le, MD, on May 28, 2025
Most people consider varicose veins a cosmetic issue, but what about when they itch, burn, or ache? That constant urge to scratch isn’t just frustrating, it’s a clue from your body that your veins may not work the way they should. But more importantly, it might be a sign of an underlying vein problem that shouldn’t be ignored.
To learn more about how your veins work—and what happens when they don’t—we spoke to a vein expert who understands the signs your body is sending. Dr. Duc Le, MD, is a board-certified vein specialist dedicated to helping patients find relief from frustrating symptoms like itching, burning, and aching legs.
At Center for Vein Restoration vein clinics in Frederick, Maryland, and Hagerstown, Maryland, Dr. Le offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments tailored to your needs.
📅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Le in Frederick, Maryland, CLICK HERE.
📅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Le in Hagerstown, Maryland, CLICK HERE.
📍Don’t live near Washington County or Frederick County, Maryland? Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a helpful Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of 110+ CVR vein clinics near you.
➡ Now let’s examine what causes itchy veins, when you should see an experienced vein specialist, and how vein treatment can help you find lasting relief.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that often appear on the legs. They happen when tiny valves inside your veins weaken, causing blood to pool instead of flowing back to your heart. This condition, known as chronic venous insufficiency, leads to increased pressure inside the veins, making them bulge, throb, or itch.
But why itching? According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, as blood pools in your veins, it can leak into nearby tissues, causing inflammation. This inflammation irritates the skin, leading to dryness, redness, and, you guessed it, itchiness.
Itching, medically known as venous stasis dermatitis, is more than just dry skin. It’s a skin condition caused by venous insufficiency, where the veins struggle to push blood upward. Over time, the skin over your varicose veins becomes irritated because of poor circulation.
Here’s how it works:
🩸 Blood pools in the lower legs.
💧 This leads to swelling and fluid leaking into surrounding tissues.
🔥 The skin becomes inflamed and starts to itch.
⚠️ Scratching can cause the skin to break, leading to more irritation or even open sores called venous ulcers.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that venous stasis dermatitis is a common skin condition resulting from chronic venous insufficiency, affecting nearly 2 percent of the U.S. population, particularly older adults.
The study highlights that early recognition and treatment of venous disease are essential to prevent complications like leg ulcers, which can significantly impact quality of life. It also emphasizes that proper vein treatment can improve both skin health and overall vein function.
If you’re struggling with itchy, discolored skin on your legs, it’s time to get to the root of the problem. The vein specialists at Center for Vein Restoration can help diagnose and treat venous insufficiency before it leads to more serious complications like leg ulcers. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable legs.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
CVR accepts many insurances, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and more.
While itching alone may not seem serious, it can be a sign of worsening vein disease. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to complications, including:
Though not all itchy veins are related to blood clots, vein experts recommend getting symptoms checked, especially if you have swelling, tenderness, or warmth in your leg. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, prompt evaluation by a qualified vein doctor can diagnose and treat chronic venous insufficiency and help prevent serious complications associated with DVT, such as potentially deadly pulmonary embolism (PE).
At Center for Vein Restoration, our expert team offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments to relieve chronic venous insufficiency, therefore preventing itching and improving your quality of life. CONTACT US NOW to find a vein specialist near you and start your journey to lasting relief.
Scratching may offer temporary relief, but it can damage your skin over time. Breaking the skin increases your risk for infections, scarring, or ulcers, especially if you already have poor circulation.
It’s essential to treat the underlying vein problem, not just the itch.
You should schedule an appointment with a vein specialist if:
A vein doctor can diagnose venous insufficiency using a simple, painless test called a duplex ultrasound to check how well blood flows in your veins.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
The good news? You don’t have to live with itchy legs! Effective, minimally invasive vein treatments are available. The National Library of Medicine notes that treating venous insufficiency early improves quality of life and reduces complications. A study emphasizes early diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment approach, including compression therapy, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive procedures, to improve outcomes, including relieving itch and preventing disability.
Outpatient treatment options include:
Endovenous Ablation
This popular treatment uses heat or laser energy to close the faulty vein, rerouting blood to healthier veins. It’s quick and done in-office.
Sclerotherapy
This treatment is a safe, common option for spider veins. It involves injecting a solution into the vein to collapse it.
Varithena
This foam-based treatment is injected into the faulty vein, causing it to collapse and close. Blood is naturally rerouted to healthier veins. It’s minimally invasive and performed in the office.
VenaSeal
This quick, in-office treatment uses a special medical adhesive to seal the diseased vein shut. Once closed, blood flows through nearby healthy veins— no heat or tumescent anesthesia required.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This procedure removes bulging varicose veins through tiny skin punctures. It’s done under local anesthesia and leaves minimal scarring. Most patients walk away from the procedure the same day and require little downtime.
Your veins are trying to tell you something, and it’s time to listen. Let the vein experts at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) help you uncover the cause of your discomfort and find real relief (hint: it doesn’t come from a bottle of lotion or scratching to the point of bleeding. It starts and ends with expert vein care). Schedule your consultation at CVR today!
1. Why do varicose veins cause my legs to itch?
Varicose veins can lead to poor circulation, causing blood to pool in the lower legs. This increases pressure in the veins and surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation and skin irritation known as venous stasis dermatitis, which makes your legs feel itchy.
2. Is itchy skin on my legs a sign of something serious?
Yes. Persistent itchy skin, especially near varicose veins, can be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency. If left untreated, it may lead to complications like skin infections, venous ulcers, or even blood clots.
3. Can scratching my itchy veins make the problem worse?
Scratching may provide short-term relief but can break the skin, increasing the risk of infection, scarring, or open sores. Treating the underlying vein issue is essential to prevent further skin damage.
4. How can a vein specialist help with itchy varicose veins?
A vein doctor can diagnose the root cause of your vein problems and offer treatments like compression therapy, ablation, or sclerotherapy to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and stop the itch for good.
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