Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs or face. They are usually not painful or harmful, but some people may wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons.
Spider veins can be blue, purple, or red and may appear in the form of thin lines, webs, or branches. People sometimes also refer to them as thread veins.
A range of treatments can remove spider veins or reduce their appearance.
Causes
In the legs, spider veins can occur when the valves inside the veins stop working properly.
Veins carry blood back to the heart. To prevent blood from flowing backward, they contain a one-way valve that closes once the blood passes through it.
If this valve weakens or becomes damaged, the blood may struggle to flow in the correct direction, and it can begin to pool inside the vein. Over time, this can cause a bulge in the vein that branches out, resulting in spider veins.
Spider veins on the face are often the result of tiny blood vessels bursting. Increased pressure or sun damage can cause this to occur.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing spider veins include:
- Genetics: Up to 90 percent of people with spider veins have a family history of them.
- Pregnancy: Increased blood moving through the body in addition to the extra weight of the fetus places more pressure on leg veins during pregnancy. Some women notice that spider veins disappear after pregnancy, but they can be permanent.
- Being female: Spider veins tend to affect women more oftenTrusted Source than men.
- Being older: The valves in veins tend to get weaker over time. The calf muscles, which help support the veins in the legs and enable them to pump blood upward, may also lose some of their strength as a person ages.
- Being overweight: Extra body weight can place added pressure on leg veins.
- Hormones: Hormonal birth control and hormonal treatments for menopause may increase the risk of spider veins because estrogen can weaken vein valves
- Sitting or standing for extended periods: Veins in the legs have to work harder to pump blood up toward the heart when a person remains in the same position for several hours at a time.
- A previous blood clot or vein damage: This can damage the valves and make them unable to work properly.
- Excess pressure in the face: This can be due to forceful coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. Some women may get spider veins on their face after pushing during childbirth.
- Sun damage: Ultraviolet light from the sun can damage the skin and cause broken blood vessels or spider veins, especially on the face.
Treatment
Although generally harmless, spider veins can cause discomfort, and some people may wish to treat or remove them for cosmetic reasons.
Several different treatment options are available:
Compression stockings or socks
Types of compression stocking include:
- Support pantyhose: These provide only light pressure but are available in many stores. It is also possible to buy a range of support pantyhose online
- Gradient compression stockings and socks: These provide medium pressure around the feet, ankles, and calves. They are often available from specialist stores and pharmacies. A range of gradient compression stockings and socks is also available to purchase online.
- Prescription compression stockings: These provide the most pressure to the feet and legs. They are only available on prescription and come in various sizes and strengths as well as footless varieties. Prescription compression stockings are not suitable for some people, including those who have heart failure or other heart problems.
Sclerotherapy and closure system
Sclerotherapy involves injecting an irritant directly into the affected vein. When the walls of the vein become irritated, they stick together and keep blood from flowing into the area
This procedure can reduce swelling and cause the vein to shrink. Over time, the spider vein fades or vanishes. Several treatments may be necessary to obtain the desired results.
Similar to sclerotherapy, closure system treatment involves injecting a substance into the affected veins. This substance is sticky, and it closes the vein off from blood flow, causing the spider vein to fade or disappear with time.
As with sclerotherapy, a person may require several treatments before they are happy with the outcome.
Healthcare professionals who can perform sclerotherapy or closure system include:
- dermatologists
- vein specialists
- plastic surgeons
- cosmetic surgeons
- trained nurses
These professionals can carry out sclerotherapy or closure system in their office as the procedure does not usually require anesthesia.
After undergoing sclerotherapy or closure system, the person usually wears compression stockings for several days or weeks. Spider veins will gradually start to disappear after these procedures, but the process may take up to 6 weeks.
Some people need multiple treatments to get rid of spider veins.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is recommended for shoulder dislocations, shoulder tendonitis, certain rotator cuff problems, soft tissue (muscle) repairs, frozen shoulder, and the repair of torn cartilage or ligaments.
The types of shoulder surgery procedures include:
Laser treatment
A healthcare professional can use a laser to treat spider veins that are smaller than 3 millimeters and close to the surface of the skin. The laser is a strong, focused beam of light that causes the spider vein to clot and dry up.
Laser treatments are less invasive than sclerotherapy or closure system because there is no injection.
EVLT involves the use of local anesthesia.
Surgery
Although some surgical treatments can be effective for larger varicose veins, doctors usually do not perform them on spider veins. The reason for this is that spider veins are small, so they often respond well to the less invasive treatments above
Pain control is important for complete healing and a smooth recovery. Your doctor will plan your pain management with medications and you may seek assistance if it causes discomfort or it’s not helping.
Hospitals
BLK Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi
Compression stockings or socks
Spider Veins
Get a consultation now
Call us at +91 8800845946
or email care@vrozarthealth.com
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)
EVLT is a newer procedure for the treatment of spider veins and small varicose veins.
A healthcare professional makes a small incision in the affected vein and then inserts a laser fiber. The laser applies heat directly to the vein and causes it to collapse. The vein may take several months or up to a year to disappear.
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure, type of anesthesia, general health, age, and other factors. You will most likely be required to wear a sling for several weeks after surgery. Your doctor will recommend an exercise rehabilitation program to help you recover. Full recovery takes a few weeks to several months.
Take a step towards your healing with VROZART Health.
Translate »
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com