If you have spider veins on your legs, you may feel like you need to keep your legs covered at all times, even when it’s hot. If you have these veins in other locations on your body, covering them up becomes even more difficult. Fortunately, you don’t have to continue struggling with this embarrassment. Below is some information to help you understand what causes spider veins and what you can do to get rid of them.
Spider veins are small clusters of abnormal veins that usually appear close to the skin’s surface. They may be blue, red or purple in color and they may develop in a web-like pattern. Although spider veins are most common in women, some men may develop this condition as well. In most cases, spider veins don’t cause any additional symptoms aside from their appearance. However, most patients find these veins to be unsightly.
Spider veins aren’t the same as varicose veins, which tend to be larger and more painful. However, both types of veins are caused by similar factors. In most cases, these veins develop when pressure builds up inside of reticular veins, which are larger veins that feed into these smaller veins. Spider veins may be more likely to develop because of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause. People who spend a lot of time sitting or standing in one position may also be at an increased risk of developing spider veins.
Several treatment options exist to help people with spider veins. At Bellamah Vein Center, patients with spider veins have access to both sclerotherapy and VeinGogh treatments. During sclerotherapy, a vascular surgeon injects a special solution into your spider veins. This solution irritates the walls of the veins, which causes them to seal off. Over time, the veins will fade from view.
During VeinGogh treatments, the vascular surgeon uses a small, hair-like needle to deliver a small burst of heat energy to spider veins. This heat energy causes the vein to collapse.
Each of these treatment options offers different advantages. To determine which option is best for you or to learn more about spider vein treatment, please contact Bellamah Vein Center.
