Why do people get spider veins?
Developing a spider vein problem is seldom a health concern. However, seeing these clustering small red or blue veins sometimes dampens self-confidence. Understanding why they appear and the vein treatment options available to eliminate them can reduce patient stress.
Why Do They Appear?
The medical name for these tiny blood vessels is telangiectasias. According to UCLA Health, these slender veins connect to the body’s venous system but are not essential components of it.
A spider vein is similar to a varicose vein. However, it is much smaller and lies closer to the surface of the skin. Clusters of these vessels resembling a spider’s web most often develop in a patient’s thighs, ankles, and calves. They also sometimes appear on the face. Some vessels resemble tiny branches, while others look like thin individual lines.
These vessels form because of weakened one-way valves in veins. When these valves no longer function correctly due to age or injury, blood headed to the heart from the extremities succumbs to gravity and leaks backward. It pools behind the valve and eventually stretches the vein. The result is often a spider or a varicose vein.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that these factors predispose a patient to a spider vein issue:
- •Family history
- •Occupations that require extended periods standing
- •Excess weight
- •Pregnancy-related hormonal changes
- •Birth control pills
- •Hormone replacement therapy after menopause
- •Prior blood clots
- •Conditions such as tumors that elevate intra-abdominal pressure
Among other factors reported are skin injury or trauma, using topical steroids, undergoing prior vein surgery, and exposure to UV rays.
While no therapy will prevent new abnormal vessels from forming, convenient vein treatment options can eliminate annoying vessels and boost a patient’s self-confidence.
Spider Vein Treatment Options
Treatments for a spider vein problem are available on an outpatient basis. The most conservative options include wearing prescribed support stockings and making lifestyle adjustments such as losing excess weight and avoiding extended periods of standing or sitting.
Sclerotherapy is widely recognized by physicians as the so-called gold standard of treatment to eliminate a spider vein or a small varicose vein. Using a fine needle, a vein specialist injects a special substance known as a sclerosant into each targeted vein. The sclerosant causes the walls of the vessel to stick together and seal shut. The vein eventually fades. Neighboring veins take over its circulatory workload.
Laser therapy is useful for collapsing very fine spider veins. This simple procedure is useful on any part of the body. Each treatment takes around 15 minutes and is appropriate for all types of skin. When treatment involves sensitive areas, use of a topical anesthetic is helpful. Most patients report little discomfort after this procedure and are able to resume their normal schedules the same day. Vein specialists often combine laser therapy with sclerotherapy to achieve the best results.