Spider veins and varicose veins can affect more than just a person’s cosmetic appearance. Reticular veins may often show discomfort in many individuals. For some, spider veins and varicose veins are an early sign of vein disease or Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Patients who have spider veins and varicose veins may be at risk for future complications such as swelling, blood clots, and skin ulcers. 

Fortunately, treatment is available for those who have complications from spider veins and varicose veins. In addition, such procedures are minimally invasive. Pain from treatment is minimal to none, and the results can completely rid patients from spider veins and varicose veins.  

What actually are spider veins?

Spider veins are simply damaged veins that are visible near the surface of the skin. They appear dark red, blue, or purple in color, and are often very small and web-like. These veins develop when small, one-way heart valves weaken in venous circulation. 

What causes spider veins and other visible veins?

The cause for spider veins is damaged valves within the veins. These valves won’t work properly when carrying blood throughout the body and back to the heart through circulation. Veins use these valves to keep blood flow moving in one direction, and keep blood from flowing backward. Unfortunately, weakened valves can struggle to correctly direct blood flow. 

When the valves become weakened, blood begins to pool inside the veins. As time passes, the blood builds pressure in the veins. This causes the veins to swell and branch out, resulting in spider veins. 

Spider veins are most commonly found around the leg and ankle area. Causes can be best explained by your doctor, who will provide spider and varicose vein information upon request. 

Possible risk factors

Potential factors that can lead to the development of spider veins and varicose veins include the following. 

Pregnancy

Extra weight from the fetus and increased blood flow throughout the body can lead to spider veins. These factors increase pressure in blood flow, which can potentially cause blood to pull in valves that weaken. Spider veins often disappear after pregnancy. However, spider veins from pregnancy have a chance of being permanent. 

Genetics

Almost 90% of those who have spider veins and varicose veins on their leg show a family history of having them. Ask your medical doctor for more information on treatment options available to you. Genetic spider veins and varicose veins may lead to future complications. 

Female

Being female also attracts more spider veins than men. This may be due to pregnancy, other other factors that develop spider veins in women. 

Aging

Valves often weaken over time. This is simply a natural process when again. Leg muscles lose their strength as people age. As a result, blood flow may be supported less causing spider veins and varicose veins to form. 

Obesity

Increased body weight can cause stress in blood flow. Blood pressure can also increase, causing pooling in leg veins. 

Sitting and standing

Sitting and standing for long periods of time forces veins to work hard to pump blood to the legs and back to the heart. It’s best to exercise when individuals find themselves sitting and standing for long periods of time. 

Hormones

Birth control and menopause treatment may increase spider vein development in women. This is caused by estrogen, which can weaken valves used to direct blood flow in the veins. 

Previous vein damage

Any previous damage to veins can make them unable to work properly. This can cause potential issues in the future for individuals that struggle with spider and varicose veins.

Ways to prevent spider veins

Spider veins and varicose veins may not always be prevented, especially when one has a family history or is going through pregnancy. Other factors may be unpreventable in contributing to spider veins and varicose veins like growing older. 

Losing weight and regularly exercising can help promote healthy blood flow throughout the body. One may also try stretches to keep legs elevated and get blood flowing to the heart. These strategies may prevent spider veins from developing, but they don’t guarantee that an individual will completely avoid spider veins on their leg. 

As you age, continuing exercises can also help prevent the development of spider veins. In addition, it may be important to avoid crossing your legs. Wearing compression stockings may also promote healthy blood flow around the legs and ankles. Compression stockings apply pressure to the veins, keeping the blood flowing effectively. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. Ask your doctor for information on how to prevent spider veins from developing. 

Get Moving

It is important to get as much exercise as possible. Not only will exercise help prevent spider veins from forming, but doing so will also promote a lifestyle of better health. Keeping blood flow regular and healthy will improve circulation, and prevent blood from pulling in your leg veins. 

Elevate Your Legs

Keeping legs raised when sitting can help prevent blood flow from pooling near the legs. If possible, elevate the legs above your heart to promote easy blood flow back to the heart. 

Get Better Footwear

Proper footwear is important for proper blood flow. Good footwear can help reduce pressure on veins around the legs and ankles, which keeps blood flowing well. 

Spider veins veins form as a result of damaged valves in the veins. Although they’re typically painless, they can possibly show an early sign of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Here are some frequently asked questions that individuals want to know about spider veins. For more information, contact your healthcare provider. Your doctor will provide you with any available information needed.

People Also Ask:

Why do I need to keep my legs out of sunlight for six weeks after sclerotherapy treatment?
Patients undergoing sclerotherapy need to keep their legs out of sunlight for six weeks.  This is because the chemical used to close the spider veins may react with sunlight causing a “staining” of the skin.  Unfortunately this staining is very persistent and often permanent. The chemical does not react to most traditional indoor lighting but should not be subjected to lighting meant for the purpose of artificial tanning.  

How do I get rid of spider veins on my legs?

Even though spider veins are often cosmetic, there is a possibility that an individual may feel discomfort in the leg or ankle area. Fortunately, there are treatment options available to eliminate spider veins. 

Wearing compression stockings places pressure on veins in the lower legs. This can help improve blood flow and help prevent spider veins from forming. Compression stockings also lower the risk of blood clot formation within the offending veins. 

Sclerotherapy treatment is a procedure that injects solutions into the vein. The vein will then close and redirect blood flow to veins with better health. Another procedure is laser treatment. The laser is used to heat a vein and close the vessel walls. Again, blood flow is then redirected to veins with better health. This keeps blood flowing well. When treated, these veins will disappear and fade into the body.