What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins are web-like knots of red veins lying just under the skin’s surface. While they are usually not very dangerous, they can indicate an underlying vein disease. They also don’t look very pretty and can lead you to feel self-conscious.
Do you want to avoid getting spider veins?
If so, you need to first understand what causes spider veins in the first place.
Spider Veins occur as a result of chronic venous insufficiency, which is a serious medical condition we’ll discuss in detail later. But there are several risk factors that can increase your chances of getting spider veins.
For example, spider veins occur when you sit or stand still for long periods of time. As such, if you have a desk job or if you have a job that requires you to stand or sit, such as a teacher, office assistant, etc, you might be at higher risk of developing spider veins.
There are a number of DIY home remedies to treat spider veins such as exercise, wearing support stockings, etc. But the most effective method is to visit your local spider vein specialist or vein treatment clinic for permanent treatments for spider veins such as Sclerotherapy or Laser Treatment.
In this article, we’ll give you a detailed overview of what spider veins are, what causes spider veins, and how to get rid of them permanently.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider Veins, scientifically called Telangiectasias, are a small knot of red blood vessels visible just under the skin’s surface. They are red in color and give the appearance of branches or spider webs, hence the name.
While spider veins can cause slight discomfort and they look ugly, they don’t usually carry grave consequences. However, spider veins can also be indicative of underlying venous insufficiency, which is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated.
As such, if you get spider veins, it is best to consult a vein specialist in NY or vein specialist in NJ to make sure you don’t have venous insufficiency.
Spider Veins and Varicose Veins: What’s the Difference?
Spider veins are different from varicose veins in the following ways:
- Spider veins are a lot smaller than varicose veins and they don’t bulge out.
- They are always red in color whereas varicose veins can also be dark purple or blue.
- Spider veins aren’t dangerous on their own, though they can be a symptom of venous insufficiency. Varicose veins are dangerous all on their own and can also cause bleeding, ulcers, or deep vein thrombosis.
What Causes Spider Veins?
The main reason for spider veins is Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
This is a serious vein disease in which the valves in the veins don’t function properly. The valves are like one-way doors that allow blood to flow up to the heart but prevent blood from flowing back down. As such, when they malfunction and the valves can’t close properly, blood can flow back and pool behind the veins. Over time, the vein wall weakens and you can see the red veins under the skin.
Risk Factors for Spider Veins
The following factors put you at greater risk of developing spider veins:
- A family history of spider veins or varicose veins puts you at greater risk.
- If your job requires you to sit or stand still for hours at a stretch, you are more likely to develop spider veins.
- If you tend to cross your legs while sitting, blood flow is restricted, increasing the possibility of spider veins.
- Being obese increases the risk of spider veins.
- Pregnancy increases the risk of spider veins.
- Being older than 40 can increase your likelihood of developing spider veins.
- If you have a history of blood clots in your legs, you are more at risk.
Treatment for Spider Veins
Now that you know what causes spider veins, it’s time to look at some treatments for spider veins.
Support Stockings
Support Stockings, also known as Compression Stockings, apply pressure on the blood vessel, encouraging blood circulation. This is not a cure for spider veins but it can provide some temporary relief.
You should, however, be careful when wearing compression stockings. If you wear them incorrectly or get the wrong size, you could make the situation worse.
That’s why you should consult a spider vein specialist to get custom-fitted support stockings. At Vein Treatment Clinic, we can study your condition and provide compression stockings that are perfectly suited for you.
Sclerotherapy
Compression Stockings can’t cure spider veins, only provide some relief from discomfort. If you want to get rid of spider veins completely, you need to go to your local vein treatment clinic for a medical procedure called Sclerotherapy.
This minimally-invasive treatment for spider veins involves a solution called Sclerosant being injected into the affected vein. The procedure is painless, can be concluded within 30 minutes, and the patient can resume their daily activities immediately after.
Laser Treatment
If you have small wispy spider veins, they can be removed using surface laser treatment as well. This procedure isn’t as effective as Sclerotherapy but it’s suitable for the smallest of spider veins.
Evaluation for Underlying Venous Insufficiency
Once you have gotten rid of the spider veins, you should also get yourself checked for underlying Venous Insufficiency. If you are suffering from venous insufficiency in a deep vein, the spider veins might return again. In fact, if not treated soon, it can also result in varicose veins, which is a lot more painful and dangerous.
Evaluation for venous insufficiency just consists of a simple ultrasound.
Contact your Local Phlebologist
Phlebologist is the official name for a vein doctor. If you want to get rid of your spider veins for good, you need to consult your local Phlebologist so they may come up with a treatment plan specific to your situation.
At Vein Treatment Clinic, we work together with VIP Medical Group to give you access to some of the most qualified Ivy-League phlebologists who specialize in treating spider veins with minimally-invasive procedures.
Now that you know what causes spider veins and how to treat them, book an appointment with your vein treatment clinic today.
