Spider Veins: What Are They and How Do I Get Rid of Them?

Have you been noticing areas of thin vein systems showing on your skin? You may be suffering from spider veins.

While spider veins aren't always a sign of a serious problem, you shouldn't take them lightly. You can want to remove spider veins for both aesthetic and health reasons. You should consult with a doctor about underlying causes if you begin seeing spider veins.

If you're wondering about how they got there and what you can do about them, keep reading to learn all there is to know about spider veins.

The Cause of Spider Veins

Spider veins are a sign of veins that aren't working properly. As your vein valve weakens, blood may begin to flow through in the wrong direction which can result in blood pooling in the vein. As it fills up it bulges and becomes visible under the skin.

They can also be caused by small bursts in your blood vessels.

Difference Between Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Both varicose veins and spider veins are caused by venous insufficiency or in layman's terms veins not working right. The main difference between them is a visual one and an intensity one.

While spider veins are flat and less noticeable, varicose veins are so filled that they bulge out. Most spider veins are painless but varicose veins present symptoms such as pain, itching, and bleeding. Even without the discomfort, varicose veins should be taken more seriously than spider veins. Talk to a doctor if you're worried about varicose veins.

Who Is At Risk?

There are some factors in your family history and lifestyle that can lead you to be more susceptible to spider veins.

The first is your genetics. Over 90% of people with spider veins have family members who also suffer from the condition.

Women, especially those who have been pregnant, are at greater risk for spider veins because of the extra weight their legs bear during pregnancy. Sometimes they can go away when a pregnancy ends. An excess of estrogen can also put you at risk.

Just like pregnancy adds weight to the legs and makes the veins work harder, being overweight can put you at greater risk for spider veins.

If you have a job that demands standing for long periods of time, you may be at more risk for spider veins because your heart and veins have to work harder to pump blood to your hard-working legs.

Spider Vein Treatment

Although not all spider veins cause discomfort or pain, you may still want to remove them as they can be unsightly. Luckily, there are a few procedural options and lifestyle changes you can make to lessen or remove spider veins.

Compression stockings can improve blood flow to lessen the appearance of and risk for spider veins. There are also sclerotherapy treatments where an irritant is injected into the vein to stick veins and prevent excess blood flow.

Spider veins close to the surface can be cosmetically treated with a laser therapy service.

Prevention

You can also take care to prevent spider veins in the first place or from returning. Wear sunscreen daily, maintain a healthy weight, don't overuse hot tubs, and get regular exercise to keep your cardiovascular system healthy.

Free From Spider Veins

With the right treatment and preventative measures, you can get rid of spider veins and even avoid them becoming the more painful varicose veins. If you're worried about the number of spider veins you have or are experiencing pain, consult a doctor for more advice.

Contact us today to find out what treatments are available!