Our body has a vast network of veins that help carry blood from all organs to the heart. The veins furthest away from the heart has to do the most work: such as the veins in our legs and face. Veins on the legs have an even tougher job to do as they have to pump blood against gravity.

To prevent blood from flowing back into the legs, veins have valves that close if blood tries to flow backwards. But over time, some valves may weaken. When this happens, blood may get collected in the veins, then branch out to look like thin spider webs. This is what causes Spider veins.

Varicose veins are caused in the same way, except they are more serious than spider veins. They are blue or purple in color and appear swollen and enlarged. Frequently, they can have a lumpy, bulging, or twisty appearance.

Worried whether the appearance of those unsightly varicose veins mean that you need to see a doctor? Wondering if the symptoms you have are just signs of normal ageing or if it is something more? Today, we will tell you what spider veins and varicose veins are, and eight signs that it is time to meet with a vein specialist.

As we grow older, it is normal to have a few spider veins and varicose veins scattered here and there. Spider and varicose veins are usually painless. But if they occur alongside other symptoms, it may be a sign that you need vein treatment and need to see a vein doctor.

Eight signs you need to see a vein doctor

  1. The spider and varicose veins cover a significant portion of your body: In small amounts, spider and varicose veins are usually just a sign of ageing. But if more than 20% of your legs are covered in spider and varicose veins, it could be a sign of some underlying condition.
  2. You are experiencing heaviness or aching in the legs: If your veins are considerably damaged, your legs will not have enough blood flow. This will cause symptoms such as heaviness or aching. This is concerning, and you must see a doctor if you experience this alongside the appearance of spider and varicose veins.
  3. Your leg fatigue is worsening: If your legs feel more and more tired for no obvious reason as time passes, it could mean that the damage to your veins is getting worse. To prevent further damage and to reverse the damage in your veins, you will need to consult a vein specialist.
  4. Your feet and ankles are swelling: This is a sign that blood is getting accumulated around your feet and ankles. This could be because of damage in your veins, and you need to see a doctor if you notice this happening frequently alongside spider and varicose veins.
  5. The spider and varicose veins are itchy and irritated: When spider and varicose veins appear as a normal part of ageing, they are painless. You may not even notice them as you go about your day-to-day life. But if the spider and varicose veins are itchy and irritated and if you notice that the skin over the affected veins are dry, thin, and itchy, you need to take action now and meet with a vein doctor.
  6. You are overweight, or clinically obese: Excess weight can make it difficult for veins on your legs to carry blood to your heart and cause damage to the valves in the veins. If you are overweight and notice spider and varicose veins, it may be time to consult a doctor.
  7. Your family has a history of Chronic Vascular Insufficiency: Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a serious condition which prevents enough blood from flowing back to the heart. It can lead to blood clots and ulcers if not taken care of early enough. If you have close family members who suffer from Chronic Vascular Insufficiency, chances are that the appearance of spider and vascular veins on you is also a symptom of the disease.
  8. You are tired of the unsightly varicose veins and just want to have them removed: Even if none of the above applies to you, you may simply not like the sight of the spider and varicose veins. You may just want to get rid of them so you can live in your skin with confidence and ease. Several vein treatment procedures are available to remove spider and varicose veins with ease. Consult a vein doctor today to find out more.

Diagnosing and treating spider and varicose veins: what happens next?

If any of the above signs apply to you, you need to consult a doctor. What follows next is simple. If you choose our VIP vein center, our highly trained board-certified vein doctors will first listen to you and ask you about your experience with the condition. They will gather your medical history, review your insurance coverage, and discuss your symptoms with you. They will perform a physical exam and may also perform a duplex ultrasound to help with the diagnosis. Depending on your specific needs, our doctors will then recommend one of many minimally invasive spider and varicose vein treatment methods using state-of-the-art technology that work best for you. Because the procedures are all minimally invasive, you can be treated on an outpatient basis and can easily fit the treatment procedure in your schedule with little disruption to your daily life.

Treatments include minimally invasive procedures such as sclerotherapy, endovenous laser varicose surgery, radiofrequency ablation, VenaSeal, among others. Non-invasive treatments include dietary and lifestyle changes as recommended by the doctor.

To know more about the best vein treatment options for you, book an appointment with the best vein doctors in the best vein treatment center in Southern California.

Our team consists of highly specialized vein doctors at the top of their fields who are double board certified and have all been trained at Ivy League universities. Our Vein center offers world-class medical infrastructure and cutting-edge technology that help our doctors use the most advanced procedures to treat their patients. But most important of all, all our doctors value patients’ comfort and treat them with friendliness, patience, and kindness. Rest assured that our highly trained doctors will look after you with utmost expertise and with the very best tools at their disposal, and that your concerns and queries will always be heard.

Our vein center at San Jose is located in a beautiful neighborhood near Palo Alto, Sunnydale, and Santa Clara. It is down the block from the Santa Clara Medical Center, and the Santana Row Shopping Mall. Our experienced Harvard-trained vein doctors can offer the best care possible to help you.

Do you need spider vein treatment? We’ll check to make sure your insurance will cover it:

Fill out the form below and one of our insurance agents will call you shortly with insurance coverage confirmation

Your information is encrypted and secure. By registering you confirm that you accept our Communications Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. We are committed to HIPAA compliance and respect your privacy.

FEATURED POSTS BY VEIN DOCTORS

Book an Appointment

We are experts in minimally invasive procedures with zero downtime, allowing you to resume regular activities the same day. Leave us your information, and we will reach out to help you verify your insurance coverage, and schedule an appointment with one of our vein specialists.

Fill out the form

Your information is encrypted and secure. By registering you confirm that you accept our Communications Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. We are committed to HIPAA compliance and respect your privacy.

Midtown Manhattan

290 Madison Ave Suite 202, New York, NY 10017
Call (646) 933-3171

Jericho

350 Jericho Turnpike Suite 310, Jericho, NY 11753
Call (631) 502-7911

Hartsdale

280 N Central Ave Suite 450, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Call (914) 520-2488

West Islip

500 Montauk Hwy Suite G, West Islip, NY 11795
Call (631) 636-0293

Bethesda

6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 470, Bethesda, MD 20817
Call (240) 998-8223

San Diego

5330 Carroll Canyon Rd #140, San Diego, CA 92121
Call (858) 461-7223

San Jose

1270 S Winchester Blvd # 102, San Jose, CA 95128
Call (669) 232-8228

Palo Alto

2248 Park Blvd, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Call (650) 643-1639

Clifton

1117 US-46 Ste 205, Clifton, NJ 07013
Call (973) 447-1055

Paramus

140 NJ-17 #269, Paramus, NJ 07652
Call (973) 798-9775

Woodland Park

1167 McBride Ave Suite 2, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Call (973) 310-5854

Woodbridge

517 US-1 #1100, Iselin, NJ 08830
Call (732) 860-0844

Scotch Plains

2253 South Ave #2, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Call (908) 900-1906

West Orange

405 Northfield Ave #204, West Orange, NJ 07052
Call (973) 936-8373

Port Jefferson

70 N Country Rd #201, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Call (631) 636-0346

Financial District

156 William St Suite 302, New York, NY 10038
Call 516-774-4448

Downtown Brooklyn

188 Montague St 10th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Call (516) 715-5448

Westchester

280 N Central Ave Suite 450, Westchester, NY 10530
Call (914) 520-2488

Bowie

4201 Northview Dr Suite 104, Bowie, MD 20716
Call (240) 932-5834

Edgewater

968 River Rd # 200, Edgewater, NJ 07020
Call (201) 351-0071

Temecula

27290 Madison Ave Suite 102, Temecula, CA 92590
Call (951) 954-5952

Morristown

310 Madison Ave 3rd floor, Morristown, NJ 07960
Call (973) 946-8026

Poway

15708 Pomerado Rd suite n202, Poway, CA 92064
Call (619) 956-7632

Forest Hills

107-30 71st Rd Suite 204, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Call (929) 674-5750

Princeton

8 Forrestal Rd S suite 203, Princeton, NJ 08540
Call (609) 436-0424

Newport Beach

1525 Superior Ave suite 202, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Call (949) 807-6714

Huntington Beach

7677 Center Avenue Suite 310, Huntington Beach, California 92647
Call (562) 825-4005

Irvine

4482 Barranca Pkwy #252, Irvine, CA 92604
Call (949) 850-8061

Brighton Beach

23 Brighton 11th St 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Call 929-600-6143

National City

22 W. 35th Street, Suite 202, National City, CA 91950
Call (619) 505-9007

Bronx

2100 Bartow Ave, Suite 400, Bronx, NY 10475
Call (929) 696-0737

Hoboken

70 Hudson St, Lower Level, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Call (551) 799-6387

Upper East Side

1111 Park Avenue, Suite 1B, New York, New York, 10128
Call (332) 278-7994

Morris County

3695 Hill Rd, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054
Call (862) 415-3100