Q: Does crossing your legs give you varicose veins?

A: No, it doesn't cause or exacerbate varicose veins.

For many of us, varicose veins are an unwelcome part of the ageing process, and many women find them a good reason to start wearing longer skirts or dresses. But while you might find varicose veins unsightly, their effect is not just cosmetic.

Between 20 and 30 per cent of us have varicose veins, which are veins with weakened walls, causing them to bulge above the skin surface. This damage to the wall interferes with the vein's job of returning blood to the heart.

Varicose veins cause aching, itching, and sometimes complications such as eczema and ulcers. But if you've been uncrossing your legs to avoid this problem, your actions…