Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
What are spider veins?
Spider veins, also referred to by its medical name “telangiestasia”, or “sunburst varicosities”, are irregular veins that create red, blue, or purple patterns and lines under the skin. The patterns are troublesome and unwanted for those who suffer from them. These veins resemble tree branches from a single trunk. They also resemble spider webs, making the name spider veins suitable for them.
Where are they located?
These veins can be found on many parts of the body. They are often located on the thighs, ankles, and calves. They can also be found on the face, but this is a rare instance.
Spider Veins
Who gets them?
About 33% of women, or one-third, will experience some form of spider veins in their lifetime. Most women see these veins as they get older. Men can also get these type of veins, although it is more common in women. Because men have more hair on their body, especially on areas such as their legs, they tend not to notice these veins.
How are they formed?
A spider vein is formed when a blood vessel wall becomes weak and the pressure that is placed on the vein causes it to expand and dilate. The blood flow in the weakened veins is irregular due to a lack of blood flow in the area. The area where the veins are seen through the skin is the area where the blood is being pulled the most.
Because these veins are external veins, they do not cause any pain. However, some pain and aching can occur from having these veins, although it is pretty uncommon. These veins can be medically treated and removed because they are considered to be a cosmetic tissue.
Causes
There are many factors that cause the veins to form. Factors such as abnormal blood flow and weakening of the vein wall are examples. Causes vary from person to person. The most common cause of these veins is hormonal changes in the body. Hormonal changes can be a result of puberty, pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause, or hormone replacement therapy.
It is very common for women to develop spider veins when they are pregnant because there are many hormonal changes in their bodies. The hormonal changes paired with the increase in venous pressure allow for a greater chance for the veins to form. Similarly, the hormones that prepare the body for both affect the vein walls and cause them to become more flexible and prone to dilation. The increase in weight during a pregnancy increases pressure in the legs. As a result, spider veins are developed.
Like many other health conditions, heredity is also a factor. If your mother or grandmother has suffered from having spider veins, there is a great chance that you may also get them sometime in your life.
Many other factors can contribute to the cause of these veins. As you get older, the condition and over health of your veins decrease. This condition is more likely to develop as your get older. Exposure to the sun for long periods of time can lead to the development of spider veins. The face is a vulnerable area that is often exposed to the sun because it is not covered up with clothing.
People who hold jobs where they stand in one place for long periods of time are more susceptible to developing spider veins. The venous pressure is increased due to the person standing for such a long time. The lack of movement can also lead to pooling of blood in the veins, which can cause the veins to turn a reddish purple color. In addition to standing, sitting for long periods of time can cause spider veins to form. Sitting with your legs crossed can cause the blood flow to be blocked and pressure will be elevated in the legs.
A person’s weight and fashion taste can also affect whether or not they may develop this condition. People who are overweight put more pressure on their legs which causes there to be more pressure in their veins. Wearing tight clothing and even undergarments prevents the blood from flowing easily, and the veins will dilate. Any injuries that are placed on the skin can cause the veins to form. Injuries that occur from sports such as getting hit with a ball can weaken the vein walls and cause them to dilate.
Additional factors can also contribute to the development of these veins. A spider vein can develop from a blood clot, previous vein surgeries, or the usage of topical steroids. Many of these causes can be prevented. Watching your diet to make sure you maintain a healthy wait and being mindful of your clothing are easy ways to prevent the veins from forming.
Prevention
Not all varicose and spider veins can be prevented. But, there are some ways you can reduce your chances of having new veins form on your body. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit the veins from possibly forming on the face. Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, blood circulation, and also the strength in your veins. Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
Avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time while your are sitting down. Keep your legs elevated as much as you can. Try no to stand or sit for a long period of time. If you have to stand for awhile, try to shift your weight on each leg as much as possible.
Stay away from tight clothing that doesn’t allow for much movement and circulation of blood in your legs. Women can try to wear high heels less so that they can help the blood move easily through their calf muscles and veins.
Health Risks
There is a small risk of having these veins, but they can cause uncomfortable feelings in the legs. As previously stated, the most common side effect of a spider vein is itching and swelling. Varicose veins may not cause health problems, or they may cause aching pain, throbbing, and discomfort. In some cases, varicose veins can lead to more serious health problems.
There are a variety of health forms that could form from these veins. Sores or skin ulcers can form due to constant backing up of blood. These sores are painful and hard to heal. Sometimes they cannot heal until the blood flow in the vein is repaired and redirected in the right direction. Severe bleeding can result from having varicose veins. When an injury occurs, there can be significant blood loss because the skin in this area may be very weak.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is a blood clot that forms in a vein just beaneath the skin. Symptoms include skin redness and sometimes pain and swelling.
Treatment
There are various treatment options for you to consider to help disguise the appearance of your veins.
The most common treatment is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a procedure where a saline or chemical solution is injected into the spider vein causing it to swell. The vein will form internal scar tissue and permanently seal shut. The other veins in the area will redirect blow flow into the area of the sealed vein. If may be necessary to have more than one treatment done before the spider vein completely disappears. About 10 and 40 spider veins can be treated during each procedure.
Sclerotherapy does not prevent new veins from forming. Instead, it helps treat veins and cover up their appearance. Patients who have sclerotherapy treatments may experience swelling, itching, and bruising of the skin where the treatment was done. It may take several weeks for the symptoms to go away.
Another treatment that can be done is laser treatments. Laser treatments help seal the veins closed and the appearance of the spider veins ultimately fade away. These treatments require more than one appointment. Many people who have experienced laser treatments dislike how the intense light from the laser causes a burning sensation on their skin. Sclerotherapy injections seem to be more favorable for treating the veins rather than getting laser treatments.
Electrodessication is also a form of treatment that uses an electrical current to seal off affected veins.
Removal
The appearance of these veins can be awful to look at. Not only can they be covered up, but they can actually be removed. Removal procedures are more expensive than procedures than only treat spider veins. A procedure called phlebectomy can be performed to remove the veins from your body. Phebectomy is done on an outpatient basis for larger spider veins, and also varicose veins. During phlebectomy the spider vein is removed by making 2 incisions on the ends of the vein, one at the top and one at the bottom. The vein then gets sealed shut and removed through one of the incisions. The veins are then clipped and removed, and the procedure is finished.
For very large varicose veins, most doctors recommend surgical ligation and stripping of the vein. This procedure usually requires a short stay in the hospital. During surgical ligation, the varicose vein is ligated and stitched closed with a clamp. The affected part of the vein is then removed.
September 17th, 2011 at 4:14 am
Hi my name is leslie and I am 21 years old and I’m pretty sure that I have spider veins or the beginning of them. I walk everyday (run up stairs like crazy..im in college) and eat a healthy diet but I have soo much trouble getting rid of them even when i did work out they wouldnt go away. What should I do?