Why Spider Veins Are Noticeable in Florida?

There's a reason why people from all over the United States up sticks and make their home in Florida. With warm winters, zero chance of snow, and summers that stay around the low 90s, there are few more inviting places in the US to call home.

Warmer temperatures mean we can shed the woolies and thermals you need further north and enjoy shorts and strappy tops year-round. But spider veins may put a dampener on that. You may feel self-conscious about showing your legs if they've been affected by unsightly veins.

Let's take a look at how spider vein treatment in West Palm Beach can help you regain your confidence.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are small, damaged blood vessels just below the surface of the skin. Medically speaking, they are called telangiectasias. They go by a number of informal names, including:

• Thread veins
• Sunburst veins
• Venus flares

For most people, they're not painful and they don't usually lead to other health problems. However, they can have a big impact on mental and emotional health. A survey found that spider veins are the most concerning cosmetic problem facing American women.

Although visible veins are mainly a cosmetic issue, they can also cause physical symptoms. These include:

• Leg fatigue
• Itching
• Cramping
• Burning
• Pain

For these reasons, many people are interested in removing spider veins to reduce their symptoms and improve their appearance.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Doctors are not entirely sure why we develop spider veins. They usually come on between the ages of 30 and 50. Both men and women can develop them, and at some point, almost all of us will get them.

Not all spider veins are actually veins. The ones caused by damaged veins appear raised and have a blueish or purplish color. Those from arterial capillary loops are flatter and have a red or pink appearance.

Are They the Same as Varicose Veins?

There are a lot of similarities between spider veins and varicose veins. But varicose veins are larger blood vessels that become swollen and twisted. They are more noticeable than spider veins and can have a lumpy appearance.

Varicose veins also cause more discomfort than spider veins. They cause leg pain and fatigue. They're also easy to break, leading to bleeding.

If you don't get them treated, they can develop into more serious conditions. There are a number of excellent treatment options for varicose veins that have minimal downtime.

Who Is at Risk?

Anyone can develop spider veins, but there are some factors that increase our risk. These include:

• Family history of spider veins/varicose veins
• Birth control pills
• HRT
• Being overweight
• Standing for long periods at work - e.g. nurses, teachers, distribution center workers
• Hormonal influences, including during pregnancy

Not Just a Leg Problem

The most common place to develop spider veins is on your legs. However, they can also appear on the face and the breast area. As we have veins running through the whole of our body, it's possible to develop spider veins just about anywhere!

How to Reduce the Risk of Spider Veins

There's no guaranteed way to eliminate the risk of developing spider veins. But keeping your blood circulation in good condition is a great start.

Regular exercise keeps your heart strong and helps it to pump blood to the extremities. This can include gentle exercise, like walking and swimming.

If your job involves a lot of sitting or standing, try to break things up. Go for regular short walks away from your desk. And at the end of the day, put your feet up for a while to take the pressure off your legs.

How Does Spider Vein Treatment in West Palm Beach Work?

Spider vein treatment can help you have the confidence to wear the clothes you love again. If you shy away from going to the beach because you don't want to be seen in a swimsuit, it's time to take action. After all, that's one of the major perks of living in Florida!

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the gold standard treatment for spider veins and small varicose veins.

It involves injecting a solution into the problem vein. This blocks the blood flow to the vein, and the body reroutes it elsewhere. The vein is no longer functional, so it will now be reabsorbed into the body.

It takes a few weeks for this to happen. But once the process is complete, the veins will fade away. Depending on how many veins you have, you may need a few treatments to fully remove your spider veins.

For most people, there are very few side effects to this treatment. You may experience a little bruising and redness, but this usually subsides after a few days.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy can be used as an alternative to sclerotherapy or alongside it. The intense light of the laser causes the blood in the veins to coagulate. This separates them from the rest of the circulatory system and allows the veins to shrink and be reabsorbed into the body.

It's more common to use laser therapy to treat spider veins on the face than on the legs. Your doctor at the vein center will discuss these options with you and create a customized treatment plan.

Time to Regain Your Confidence

It's understandable if your spider veins are getting you down. But spider vein treatments can be highly effective!

They can restore the even appearance of your skin tone. You can have the confidence to let the world see your legs again and enjoy the Floridian lifestyle to the full!

Choose Ivy Cardiovascular & Vein Center for Spider Vein Treatment

If you're ready to get spider vein treatment in West Palm Beach, it's important to choose the right clinic. Ivy Cardiovascular & Vein Center is led by Dr. Rishi Panchal. He's an Ivy League-trained cardiologist and advanced vein specialist.

He has an in-depth knowledge of everything to do with veins, along with the latest treatment options. You can trust him to provide the best possible minimally invasive treatment for your spider veins.

Click here to make an appointment request today!