• Question: can you get gangrene with varicous viens?

    Asked by francescanoto to Sarah, Vijay on 8 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Sarah Martin

      Sarah Martin answered on 8 Jun 2012:

      Hi Francesca! I’m not an expert on this, but the two conditions are very different – the similarity is that they are both on the leg!
      Varicose are simply enlarged veins, often visible on the legs, and unless they bleed or blood clots are formed in them, they are harmless.
      Gangrene on the other hand is a horrible infection, mainly caused by smoking and/or diabetes, which requires a lot of attention, and can lead to the leg being amputated! The best way to avoid this is not to smoke!
      The only way you can avoid varicose veins is to a) change your parents (it’s genetic!) or b) spend your life walking on your hands (reverse gravity).

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