Patients who develop blood clots in veins nearer to the skin surface may be at risk from developing deep vein thrombosis, new research shows.

An article in Archives of Dermatology highlights a study conducted at the Medical University of Graz in Austria where 46 patients who had superficial (surface level) thrombosis underwent a series of tests including color-coded duplex sonography.

In 24 percent of the patients, the research team found evidence of deep-vein thrombosis while in 72 percent of patients, this condition was located in the same leg that experienced superficial vein thrombosis.

“[T]he occurrence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism [blood clot that travels to the lungs] may lead to severe complications,” wrote study author Dr. Barbara Binder and her team.

Those who suffer from deep vein thrombosis or experience a pulmonary embolism are more likely to experience another blood clot in a three year period, according to researchers from McMaster University Medical Center in Ontario, Canada.

Individuals who think that they may be at risk of developing blood clots, may try some spices that include blood thinning salicylates.

The Connective Tissue Disorder website lists some spices including ginger, curry powder or peppermint and many fatty fish that are high in omega-3 acids that can help keep the blood thin.