What is the difference between reticular veins and varicose veins?

I have greenish veins near the surface of my inner thigh. I can feel them and they bulge a bit at times. Are they reticular or varicose veins? According to tests, the insufficiency of my gsv is greater than 2 per sec. at the junction. I was told that I'm not ready for ablation yet. How do I know when I'll be ready for treatment? Could I have sclerotherapy in the meantime? If so, would it rid these ugly veins?

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 04, 2014

Reticular veins are typically smaller and near the surface as you describe. With vaso-dilatation after exercise, showering etc they may bulge slightly. If the whole population were scanned, many people will show some saphenous reflux. In the absence of symptoms, pain, heaviness, aching, cramping, restlessness, skin changes, larger bulging painful varicose veins treatment isn't indicated. Veins as you describe can be treated successfully with sclerotherapy for cosmetic reasons by choosing an experienced sclerotherapy physician or nurse.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Reticular veins are typically smaller and near the surface as you describe. With vaso-dilatation after exercise, showering etc they may bulge slightly. If the whole population were scanned, many people will show some saphenous reflux. In the absence of symptoms, pain, heaviness, aching, cramping, restlessness, skin changes, larger bulging painful varicose veins treatment isn't indicated. Veins as you describe can be treated successfully with sclerotherapy for cosmetic reasons by choosing an experienced sclerotherapy physician or nurse.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jul 29, 2014

Reticular veins are not always unhealthy veins, just enlarged surface veins. When people have translucent skin, it makes the veins more visible. Sometimes people like to treat these with sclerotherapy, but staining can occur and will make the treated area look worse. Sometimes the staining is permanent, so that is why treating reticular veins is not recommended. If there are bulging veins, then those can be taken out by ambulatory phlebectomy. In regards to the GSV reflux, if the reflux is found only in the junction,then usually it is not treated unless the reflux moves throughout the entire vein. You could proceed with other treatments but make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Reticular veins are not always unhealthy veins, just enlarged surface veins. When people have translucent skin, it makes the veins more visible. Sometimes people like to treat these with sclerotherapy, but staining can occur and will make the treated area look worse. Sometimes the staining is permanent, so that is why treating reticular veins is not recommended. If there are bulging veins, then those can be taken out by ambulatory phlebectomy. In regards to the GSV reflux, if the reflux is found only in the junction,then usually it is not treated unless the reflux moves throughout the entire vein. You could proceed with other treatments but make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 28, 2014

Reticular veins are flat, blue-green veins usually between 3-5 mm in diameter, often cause/feed spider veins, and usually have no connection to
underlying saphenous veins. Varicose veins are larger surface veins that have pronounced bulging and usually derive from saphenous veins. You
doctor will know when treatment is indicated, usually determined by degree of symptoms and/or the occurrence of complications. Sclerotherapy is
effective for both reticular and varicose veins except when they are fed by underlying saphenous veins, which then requires the saphenous vein be
treated first.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Reticular veins are flat, blue-green veins usually between 3-5 mm in diameter, often cause/feed spider veins, and usually have no connection to
underlying saphenous veins. Varicose veins are larger surface veins that have pronounced bulging and usually derive from saphenous veins. You
doctor will know when treatment is indicated, usually determined by degree of symptoms and/or the occurrence of complications. Sclerotherapy is
effective for both reticular and varicose veins except when they are fed by underlying saphenous veins, which then requires the saphenous vein be
treated first.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lone Star Vein Center

Published on Jul 28, 2014

Reticular veins are normal, healthy veins. Good examples are those very commonly seen in the antecubital space (opposite side of elbow) in thin healthy adults. Varicose veins tend to bulge, become tortuous, and are palpable to the touch. Varicose veins may cause pain or itch. They also tend to be larger towards the end of the day. I would follow your doctors recommendations; however, ask about these specific veins and possible treatment options.

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Answered by Lone Star Vein Center

Reticular veins are normal, healthy veins. Good examples are those very commonly seen in the antecubital space (opposite side of elbow) in thin healthy adults. Varicose veins tend to bulge, become tortuous, and are palpable to the touch. Varicose veins may cause pain or itch. They also tend to be larger towards the end of the day. I would follow your doctors recommendations; however, ask about these specific veins and possible treatment options.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jul 27, 2014

Good question. Reticular vein are veins that are located in the reticular dermis , the area of the skin just above the hypo-dermis where the fat of
your skin is and just below the thickest part of the connective tissue such as collagen of the dermis or skin. These veins which are responsible for
draining that part of the skin are the most often veins to dilate and twist and become varicose. If they are straight and small they are probably normal veins and don't need to be treated. If they are dilated you could
have them treated with sclerotherapy if they bother you or a cosmetic concern .

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Good question. Reticular vein are veins that are located in the reticular dermis , the area of the skin just above the hypo-dermis where the fat of
your skin is and just below the thickest part of the connective tissue such as collagen of the dermis or skin. These veins which are responsible for
draining that part of the skin are the most often veins to dilate and twist and become varicose. If they are straight and small they are probably normal veins and don't need to be treated. If they are dilated you could
have them treated with sclerotherapy if they bother you or a cosmetic concern .

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jul 27, 2014

Reticular veins are the green veins. Sclerotherapy can get rid of them.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Reticular veins are the green veins. Sclerotherapy can get rid of them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 25, 2014

Reticular veins are blue or green non bulging veins. Varicose veins are bulging veins. Retilcular veins are essentially the veins between varicose and spider veins. The gold treatment for spider and reticular veins is sclerotherapy. Reflux is considered greater than .5 seconds so you do have signs of venous insufficiency. You should see a vein specialist for an evaluation.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Reticular veins are blue or green non bulging veins. Varicose veins are bulging veins. Retilcular veins are essentially the veins between varicose and spider veins. The gold treatment for spider and reticular veins is sclerotherapy. Reflux is considered greater than .5 seconds so you do have signs of venous insufficiency. You should see a vein specialist for an evaluation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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