Varacose Vein from Lower Leg Puncture?

Question

One of the veins in my lower leg punctured; lost a lot of blood! I immediately raised my leg over the shower basin while sitting on the bathroom floor. I poured a lot of peroxide over the respective area. I wraped the respective area with gauge & immediately wraped the lower leg tightly with an ACE bandage to stop the bleeding & etc.! Any suggestions in regards to immediate treatment as well as preventative treatment? I have a picture but can't seem to upload it?

John Landi, MD · Answer

You seem to have done all the right things to control the bleeding with elevation, pressure and wrapping.  The next step is to see a vein specialist for a full venous evaluation.  I am not sure if you were bleeding from a varicose or spider vein.  The treatment of each is quite different.  You should have a venous ultrasound and reflux exam which will show the status of your veins.  Varicose veins are usually due to leaking valves which can be corrected with a laser, while spider veins are often treated with sclerotherapy.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Such bleeding is due to venous hypertension and erosion of the vein into the dermis - this is potentially dangerous and recurrence is high. You need Duplex venous scan to rule out truncal venous reflux (saphenofemoral and saphenopopliteal) as well as perforator venous rreflux which occurs in the lower leg and ankle areas. You may need EVLT, Venefit procedure or ClariVein as well as sclerotherapy with foam. Seek a consultation from a Board Certified Phlebologist.

Joel Gotvald, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I would recommend immediate evaluation by a vascular surgeon.  You likely have varicose veins with venous reflux, a condition that causes high pressure buildup in the skin veins of the legs.  A break in the skin can lead to alot of blood loss as you described, since the veins are under abnormal high venous pressure.  An ultrasound will be able to diagnose the condition.  You did the correct thing in holding pressure and placing a pressure bandage to stop the bleeding, but the bleeding could restart when the bandage is removed.  Sometimes a doctor will need to place a suture in the skin to permanently stop the bleeding.  Then the underlying vein disease would need to be treated by a vascular surgeon, based on the results of the ultrasound of your leg veins.  A visit to the doctor as soon as possible would be advised in order to avoid recurrent bleeding or infection and to get the cause addressed as soon as possible.

Vicki J. Levine, MD · Answer

You should see a vascular surgeon regarding treatment of this varicose vein. In addition support hose from a surgical supply store would be helpful, if the vascular surgeon says your circulation is adequate.

Varacose Vein from Lower Leg Puncture?

Answers (4)

Answer: Varicose veins

Answer: Varicose veins

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sclerotherapy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Varacose Vein from Lower Leg Puncture?

Answers (4)

Answer: Varicose veins

Answer: Varicose veins

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sclerotherapy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.