If the valves in your leg veins stop pumping, it causes blood that should go up to go down. The result? Varicose veins. These lumpy and twisted blue or purple veins cause symptoms such as uncomfortable, swollen and achy legs. They are pretty common, affecting about a third of UK adults. Varicose veins are usually larger and are located deeper within the leg than spider veins.

Commonly known as spider veins, these tiny blue or red vessels sit close to the skin’s surface. They can appear in small clusters or spread across the legs and body. Most of the time, thread veins are painless, but they may itch sometimes or cause a burning sensation. As we get older, our skin gets thinner, so it’s more likely that you, and others, will notice thread veins.

The good news is that, with the right treatment, it is easy to remedy varicose and thread veins.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment options: