venous flares

Venous flares

• subdermal
• commonly seen at medial malleoli
• a/w superficial stem perforators and/or deep venous incompetence
• indicative of incompetence direct perforating vein above the calf
• to determine the site of incompetent perforating vein :

1. draw imaginary line extended from the anterior and posterior borders of venous flare
2. the point it crosses is the incompetent perforating vein

spider veins reticular veins

Spider veins ( the red one, on top)

• small
• intradermal
• commonly at thigh
• due to oestrogen : menarche, pregnancy, menopause

Reticular veins ( the blue one, lower down )

• larger

Deep Vein Thrombosis : life threat

Signs and symptoms of DVT:

• pain in the leg
• tenderness in the calf
• swelling of the leg
• increased warmth of the leg
• erythema ( redness) of the leg
• bluish skin discoloration