Your veins are probably not a part of your body that you think about very often. They're pretty well hidden under your skin, at least for the most part, and they generally do their job of carrying blood back to your heart without much or any interference needed from you. But things can go wrong with your veins. You can develop varicose veins, which are swollen and enlarged veins with damaged walls. You can also develop thrombophlebitis, a condition in which a vein becomes inflamed and tender due to a small blood clot. It's important to know the key signs of vein problems so you can make an appointment with a vein specialist when needed.

Heavy, Swollen Legs

Do you ever feel like your legs get overly heavy and swollen? You may notice this the most when you have been sitting still for a long time. Some people have this problem every day when they get out of bed, and it dissipates throughout the day. This heaviness and swelling are due to excess fluid building up in the tissues in your legs, which can happen when there is a problem with your veins. It's a common symptom of varicose veins, in particular. 

Itching Legs

If your legs are itchy and the itching does not go away with standard measures like applying lotion, then your veins may be to blame. When blood starts to pool in your veins, the veins can swell, and this leads to an itching sensation. If you pay close attention, you may notice the itching is most intense in areas where you see spider veins or discolored veins. Make an appointment with a vein specialist, but in the meantime, elevating your legs can help relieve the itchiness.

Slow Healing

If you get a small scrape or cut on your leg or foot, it should significantly heal within a few days. If it appears not to be healing, or if it reaches a certain stage of healing and then does not seem to get any better, this could indicate a vein problem. Wounds need circulation to heal, and when something is wrong with your veins, circulation often suffers, which leads to slow healing.

If you notice the signs above, make an appointment with a vein specialist sooner rather than later. Vein problems are often easier to treat when you catch them early and can take proactive measures to keep them from worsening.