Some patients with long-standing high pressure in the veins may develop an area that bleeds. This can be quite dramatic at times. Most of these sites are very small and in most instances no larger than a pinhole. This is a sign of underlying high pressure either in the deep or superficial venous system.

If this occurs, the patient should immediately elevate the leg. This will relieve all pressure and stop the bleeding immediately. Pressure should then be applied and medical attention sought.

If you go to the emergency room, most times the treatment is closing the small incision with a suture. The correct method of treatment is to inject a dilute foamed sclerosant solution into the surrounding small vessels.

You should seek consultation with a doctor experienced in the treatment of venous disease. Further diagnostic tests can determine the cause.

Most of these occur around the ankle, but spontaneous bleeds can also occur anywhere there is high venous pressure that is manifested itself through these small veins. In the case below, this patient had a spontaneous bleed of a small pinpoint varicosity of the anterior leg in association with larger varicosities.