You may have noticed the colour of your varicose veins as blueish or green and wondered why this is… Blood is red, so why are the bulging veins blue and green? Continue reading to learn about the many reasons that the veins on the surface of your legs appear coloured.
The main reasons that cause the varicose veins in your legs to seem blue or green are due to one’s complexion and the different wavelengths of colour. Your complexion has an affect on the way colours appear on your skin. Individuals with less pigment in their skin have a greater visibility of green and blue veins on the surface. Those with more pigment in their skin can have a more difficult time interpreting the colours of the visible veins. This occurs as a result of pigmented skin absorbing a greater amount of light energy when compared to less pigmented skin. Additionally, due to the colours green and blue having a shorter wavelength than the colour red, veins on the surface (varicose veins) appear in those colours. In other words, the colour red has the longest wavelength which suggests that there is not sufficient energy for the red colour to be visible on the surface of the skin. This makes it so that when white light hits the skin, even though your blood is red, it appears as blue or green due to the varying absorption levels of the colours and their wavelengths.
While the colour of your veins being blue or green may seem odd, it is not a reason to panic as this occurs due to the scientific process outlined above. There are other warning signs and symptoms of concern in regards to your venous health, these include: pain in the lower extremities, cramping in the legs, swollen legs or feet, and any skin discolouration. Upon encountering any of these symptoms you can infer that the veins that you see are most probably varicose veins. After discovering any of the symptoms outlined above it is a good idea to have a consultation to resolve your venous issues.
Contact us!
At Canada Vein Clinics we specialize in the treatment of varicose veins. We offer numerous treatments for this condition and help to find the best treatment for you. Book a consultation to find out more information! Give us a call today at 1-888-876-8346, or email us at askdoctor@canadaveinclinics.ca.
