Varicose veins: what are they and how are they treated?
Het Nieuwsblad, 5 August 2026
What are varicose veins, what symptoms do they cause and how are they treated? Dr Griet Voet explains in Het Nieuwsblad.
In Het Nieuwsblad, Dr Griet Voet and a vascular surgeon explain varicose veins. Dr Voet explains that valves in the leg veins send the blood back to the heart; if they do not close properly, the pressure rises and the veins widen. Symptoms include heavy, tired legs, swollen ankles, itching and cramps, especially in warm weather or after standing for long periods. In women, pregnancy often plays a role.
Before treatment, an ultrasound examination of the veins is needed first. Small, superficial veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy, in which a fluid makes the vessel seal shut; laser is mainly suitable for fine red vessels.
Dr Voet recommends planning non-urgent treatment in autumn or winter: wearing support stockings is more comfortable then, and sun after the treatment can cause brown spots.
Key advice
Stay active to support your blood circulation.
Have an ultrasound scan done before any treatment.
Preferably plan non-urgent treatment for autumn or winter.
Keep the treated area out of the sun while it recovers.
“After a treatment, you often have to wear compression stockings for some time, and that is more comfortable in cooler temperatures.” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Vascular laser at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.