Spider Veins

Spider veins, medically known as telangiectasias, are small, thin, visible blood vessels that appear close to the surface of the skin. They often look like red, blue, or purple lines, webs, or branches, resembling a spider’s web, hence the name.

Spider veins derive their name from the clusters they form, which resemble spider webs. They’re most commonly found on your face, legs or abdomen. Although related to varicose veins, spider veins rarely become painful and don’t get as large as their twisted, bulging counterpart. Your doctor diagnoses whether you have surface spider veins or deeper varicose veins.

While varicose and spider veins differ from each other, they can both be prevented with similar means. Whether you’re just beginning to notice the first faint signs of spider veins, or weak blood vessels are common in your family, talk to your vein doctor about prevention, either before they become a problem or after you’ve them once. Steps to reduce spider veins include:

• Apply sunscreen liberally to parts of your body exposed to the sun, particularly if you have lighter skin.
• Wear compression stockings, especially when you know you’re going to be on your feet for a long time. They’re particularly helpful if you work in nursing, teaching, hospitality or retail.
• Exercise regularly to improve the blood circulation in your legs and strengthen your muscles. Walking, bicycling and swimming are simple and low-impact ways to improve the muscle tone and circulation of your legs.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts unnecessary strain on your body and is particularly damaging to the overworked blood vessels and valves in your legs.
• Reduce pressure on your leg veins. Don’t sit with your legs crossed and avoid wearing high heels. You improve your circulation even more by elevating your legs each day.

Key Characteristics:

• Location: Commonly found on the legs, thighs, and face.
• Size: Smaller and less prominent than varicose veins.
• Cause: They occur due to weakened or damaged valves in the veins, which allow blood to flow backward and pool, causing the veins to expand.

Risk Factors:

• Genetics or family history of vein problems.
• Hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy, menopause).
• Prolonged standing or sitting.
• Aging, obesity, or sun exposure.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins result from weakened valves in your veins that don’t adequately shut after blood flows through them. Faulty valves cause the blood to pool or even flow backward. Where this happens, your blood vessels weaken and thin. They can rupture, bulge or darken, causing varicose veins and spider veins.

Spider veins are a relatively common condition, occurring in about 40 percent of women, and close to 30 percent of men. Genetics also play a role in the development of spider veins, while standing for extended periods puts you at a higher risk. Other causes include:

• An injury to the vein
• Hormonal changes and hormone replacement drugs
• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays
• Alcohol abuse and smoking, as both restrict blood flow
• Aging, as the wear on blood vessels and valves cause them to just give out
• Obesity, which stresses your veins
• An overly sedentary lifestyle

Spider Vein Symptoms

Unlike the pain and throbbing associated with varicose veins, you usually don’t feel painful symptoms with spider veins. Spider veins can be uncomfortable, but rarely painful. Some of the mild symptoms include:

• An unpleasant appearance on your skin
• Pressure where they appear, especially in your legs
• Leg cramps
• Light throbbing
• Discomfort after sitting

Treating Spider Veins

One of the most safe, successful and effective treatments is sclerotherapy. Your specialist injects the spider veins with a solution that causes them to collapse. After the veins are reabsorbed into your body and the blood flow is cut off, the red or blue web-like lines fade within a few weeks. Sclerotherapy is nearly 90 percent effective when performed by a trained physician.

Another popular spider vein treatment relies on lasers. This treatment works particularly well on thinner spider veins that are difficult to treat by injection. Laser heat pulses under your skin, where the spider veins appear. The result is the same as sclerotherapy.

Treatment Options:

• Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting.
• Medical Procedures:
  • Sclerotherapy: Injecting a solution into the veins to collapse them.
  • Laser Therapy: Using focused light to close off the veins.
  • Vein Stripping or Ablation: Rarely needed for spider veins, but used for more severe vein issues.

While spider veins are usually harmless, some people choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons or if they cause discomfort.