Usually, varicose veins develop in the legs and affect the veins that lie closer to the surface of the skin. But they can also occur in other parts of the body. When an individual is affected by varicose veins, the veins bulge out and become twisted slowing down the flow of blood through them. Sluggish blood flow can lead to superficial blood clots, which is also known as superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis. These superficial clots can produce symptoms like redness, pain, swelling and tenderness in the affected limb around the vein.
Superficial clots, unlike DVT or deep vein thrombosis, do not advance to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. DVT and pulmonary embolisms are serious conditions that are not caused due to varicose veins. However, if the case is severe, there is a risk that DVT might result.