The Truth Behind Spider Veins that You Need to Know
You may be wondering what those visible thin, web-like veins that appear on your legs and face are. They are called spider veins which are formed when the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin become dilated. Although they usually pose no health hazard, some may feel unhappy and bothered with how spider veins affect their overall appearance.
Read the following information to gain a better understanding of the truth behind spider veins and what you can do about them.
What You Need To Know About Spider Veins
What is it?
Spider veins (telangiectasias) are damaged blood vessels under the skin that are blue, red, or purple in color. You can see them in clusters that look like spider webs or tree branches. They can form anywhere although they normally develop in the legs or face.
A spider vein is typically harmless and mostly a cosmetic issue. You only need a spider vein treatment if you do not like how they look on your leg or face. Treatments are often successful in removing spider veins.
However, a spider vein could be an early sign of a vein disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). There is a possibility for you to have venous stasis ulcers or cellulitis. It is essential to consult a doctor to determine if your spider veins indicate another blood flow problem.
Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins
These are often mistaken to be similar. But how can you identify a spider vein from a varicose vein?
Spider veins are damaged capillaries, arterioles, and venules. These are tiny blood vessels that connect with bigger blood vessels as part of your body’s circulatory system. In contrast, varicose veins are damaged veins. Veins are larger blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Varicose veins are usually bigger than spider veins and they appear twisted or lumpy on the skin.
A spider vein seldom causes symptoms and people undergo treatment for cosmetic reasons. Meanwhile, a varicose vein often has a variety of symptoms such as leg pain, itching, swelling, and discomfort. People seek treatment either for cosmetic reasons or to alleviate the symptoms.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to a health-related article, many people who suffer from spider veins also have varicose veins. They both share several of the similar causes and risk factors.
Causes of Spider Veins: Are You at Risk?
Spider veins on legs can happen when the valves inside the veins stop functioning properly. Veins carry blood back to the heart. They have a one-way valve that closes once the blood passes through it to keep the blood from flowing backward. The blood may have difficulty flowing in the right direction if the valve becomes weak or gets damaged. It will start to pool inside the vein. Over time, this causes a swell in the vein that branches out and develops into a spider vein.
Meanwhile, spider veins on the face are caused by tiny blood vessels that burst. This happens due to sun damage or increased pressure.
Risk Factors
The common factors that increase a person’s risk to develop spider vein include:
1. Pregnancy – Increased blood flow and additional weight of the fetus on leg veins may cause spider veins.
2. Genetics - Many experts believe that family history is the most dominant cause of spider veins. If both of your parents have venous issues, you have a higher risk to have this medical concern.
3. Age - Valves in veins get weaker as you age. The calf muscles that support the veins in the legs and enable them to pump up blood may also lose some strength as a person grows older.
4. Overweight - Extra body weight can put pressure on the leg veins.
5. Sex - Spider vein occurs in 41% of females that are 50 years and older.
6. Standing or Sitting for Extended Periods – It is hard for the veins in the legs to pump blood toward the heart if a person stays in a similar position for more than 4 hours.
7. Hormones - Hormonal birth control and hormonal treatments for menopause can increase the risk of a person having spider vein since estrogen can weaken vein valves.
8. Previous Vein Damage or Blood Clots - They can damage the valves and make them incapable to function well.
9. Extra Pressure on the Face - Due to forceful sneezing, coughing, or vomiting. Some women may get spider veins on the face because of too much pushing while giving birth.
10. Sun Damage - UV light can damage the skin and cause broken blood vessels resulting in spider vein.
Signs and Symptoms
Spider veins do not cause symptoms. However, a small number of people with spider vein in their legs experience the following symptoms after prolonged standing:
Burning
Cramping
Itching
Tired Legs
Pain
These symptoms are often unrelated to having a spider vein. The treatment of spider veins does not alleviate the symptoms.
3 Spider Vein Treatments That You Must Know
Some people want to treat or remove spider veins due to cosmetic reasons. Treatments include:
1. Sclerotherapy
This is a slightly invasive treatment for spider veins in your legs. This involves injecting a chemical solution into your spider vein to close it off. As a result, your spider vein will disappear in about three to six weeks. Some people may require several sessions to eliminate their spider veins.
2. Laser Therapy
This is a non-invasive treatment for spider veins, usually those on your face. It uses a laser to create heat and destroy the spider veins instead of injecting a chemical solution. The spider vein can disappear immediately if it is small but it may take one to three months for larger spider veins to go away. Some people may also need multiple sessions.
3. Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
EVLT is the latest procedure for treating spider veins and small varicose veins. A little incision is made in the affected vein and then a laser fiber is inserted. The heat from the laser is directly applied to the vein which causes it to collapse. It may take several months or one year for the vein to disappear. EVLT uses local anesthesia.
Additional Tips to Prevent Spider Veins
There are several self-care tips that you can follow to stop your existing spider veins from getting worse and prevent new ones from forming. These practices include:
1. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods. Move more to prevent fluid from pooling in your legs. Being inactive can increase the risk of developing spider vein. Switch to another position every 30 minutes. If you need to sit down for a while, try to stand up every 30 minutes and vice versa.
2. Flex your feet and ankles. Move your feet if you have to remain seated or in the same position for a long time. Try to flex your ankles up and down. You can squeeze and relax your calf muscles to have a good flow of blood in your legs.
3. Elevate your legs. They must be at least as high as your heart to help enhance blood flow in your legs and prevent blood from pooling downward. Do this for 30 minutes at least twice a day. This can avoid new spider veins from forming.
4. Exercise regularly. Physical activities can increase blood flow in your legs.
5. Avoid tight clothing. Wearing clothes that are too tight around the waist, pelvis, or legs can restrict normal blood circulation and increase the risk of a spider vein forming.
6. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body weight can increase the pressure on your joints, leg muscles, and blood vessels.
7. Have a heart-healthy diet. A heart-healthy eating pattern like a Mediterranean diet can help you achieve a healthy weight and lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
8. Wear compression stockings. This improves blood flow in your legs and reduces fluid buildup that causes spider veins. Always seek professional medical advice before wearing compression stockings.
9. Wear sunscreen. The heat of the sun can break blood vessels. If you have spider veins on the face, it is helpful to apply sunscreen daily to prevent new ones from developing.
10. Limit the use of hot tubs and saunas. Excessive heat can cause veins to swell thus increasing the risk of dilated and bulging veins in the legs.
11. Limit alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol can redden the face and damage the blood vessels of some people.
12. Use cover-up products. You can use body or leg makeup to mask the appearance of your spider vein. Self-tanning products can also help.
13. Consult a dermatologist. People with skin conditions can increase their risk of having spider vein. Seek advice for treatment options.
Why Seek the Help of a Board-Certified Dermatologist
A board-certified dermatologist is a specialist who knows how to properly treat and take care of your skin.
Becoming a dermatologist is never easy. To understand the complexities of your skin, hair, and nails, a doctor has to undergo residency training at hospitals accredited by the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS). Dermatologists must pass the difficult examination required by the Philippine Board of Dermatology to be board-certified and maintain their accreditation through constant learning and practice. Only then would they be able to provide safe and effective cosmetic and medical treatments for you.
To ensure that your skin will get the best care it deserves, the board-certified dermatologists at Skin MD constantly update and enhance their skills through studies, training, and workshops both locally and overseas to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and evidenced-based dermatology. Skin MD will take care of your skin and keep it youthful always to achieve every patient’s beauty goals.
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Spider veins are caused by damaged blood vessels that appear normally on the legs or face. They are typically harmless and do not cause serious health problems although some people want to treat them for cosmetic reasons. There are available treatments to remove spider veins. However, it is best to consult a doctor first to discuss your medical concerns. They say prevention is better than cure so there are several self-care tips and practices that you can follow every day to stop your spider vein from getting worse and prevent new ones from developing. It always helps to seek medical help from board-certified dermatologists since they are skin specialists who spent many years of studies, training, and workshops to meet the requirements of their medical profession.
Skin MD offers a more lasting solution to your spider veins problem, which is sclerotherapy. This medical dermatology procedure shrinks swollen blood vessels and restores your clear and smooth skin. Consult with our experts to find out more about how we can treat your swollen, unsightly veins to regain your confidence.