Having spider veins can affect more than your appearance — they can also cause serious discomfort. Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs or face. Sometimes referred to as “thread veins,” spider veins can be blue, purple or red and may appear in the form of thin lines, webs or branches.
Factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing spider veins include:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Being female
- Being older
- Being overweight
- Sun damage
- Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins can occur when the valves inside the veins stop working.
Veins carry blood throughout the body and back to the heart. To prevent blood from flowing backward, veins contain a one-way valve that closes once blood passes through it. If this valve weakens or becomes damaged, blood may struggle to flow in the right direction and can pool inside the vein. Over time, this can cause a bulge that branches out in the vein, resulting in spider veins.
Many patients say they have no symptoms at all other than visual evidence. Others have complained of a heavy feeling in their legs, minor aching and discomfort.
Symptoms of spider veins may include:
- Dull generalized aching (especially after standing for a long time)
- Throbbing pain
- Night cramps
- Tiredness
- Burning
- Tingling
- Heaviness in the legs
- Itching
How to Prevent Them?
Simple lifestyle changes and self-care tips can help prevent new spider veins from appearing or stop existing ones from getting worse.
- Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation and vein strength.
- Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting and try to elevate your legs when resting.
- Avoid tight clothing. Clothing that’s too tight around the waist, legs or pelvis can restrict blood flow, increasing your risk of spider veins.
Treatment
Sclerotherapy
Used primarily in the treatment of spider veins and small varicose veins, sclerotherapy involves injecting an irritant directly into the affected vein. The chemical solution irritates the vein tissue, causing the lining of the vein to swell, harden and eventually seal off. It can reduce or eliminate both the appearance and any discomfort caused by spider veins.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is less invasive than sclerotherapy because there is no injection. The laser projects a strong, focused beam of light that causes the spider vein to clot and dry up. A healthcare professional can use a laser to treat veins that are smaller than three millimeters and close to the surface of the skin.
Endovenous Vein Therapy
Endovenous vein therapy is a minimally invasive alternative to more invasive vein stripping procedures and can be performed under local anesthesia. With EVT, a fiber or catheter is inserted into the vein and heat energy is applied to the vein. Delivered in short pulses, the heat or radiofrequency energy heats the vein from within, causing it to shrink, collapse and seal shut.
A variety of treatment options are available to help improve the appearance of spider veins or remove them altogether. Schedule a consult with your doctor to find the best option for you.
The path to healthy legs begins with a short, painless consultation. Schedule yours online today!
https://www.veincenteratiowaheart.com/schedule-consultation/
Am I a Candidate?
Determine if you are at risk for developing or already have symptoms for venous disease.