What causes spider veins?
Spider veins occur in tiny blood vessels near the skin’s surface. The problem develops when one-way valves inside the veins stop working properly, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the vein.
As blood builds up, the small veins enlarge, creating visible reddish-purple veins that spread to resemble a spider’s web. You can develop spider veins anywhere on your body, but they most often appear on your legs and face.
What symptoms develop due to spider veins?
Spider veins may occasionally feel itchy or slightly achy when they’re on your legs. Otherwise, they usually don’t cause any symptoms. Most patients choose to have the veins removed because they’re unattractive.
However, spider veins may be a sign of an underlying vein problem, such as chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis. A cluster of spider veins around your ankle frequently signals the presence of chronic venous insufficiency.
What increases my risk for spider veins?
Staying inactive due to prolonged sitting and crossing your legs are two of the top risk factors for developing spider veins on your legs.
Hormone fluctuations can also increase the risk for women because estrogen makes veins dilate, which pulls at valves and weakens them. The extra pressure from being overweight may also weaken the valves, as well as age-related changes.
How are spider veins treated?
The team at Florida Lakes Vein Center takes a holistic approach to your care, treating your spider veins and educating you on how to prevent them from forming in the future by changing your risk factors. Your veins are effectively eliminated using one of the following procedures.
Sclerotherapy
During sclerotherapy, your Florida Lakes Vein Center physician injects medication that closes the vein and results in scarring. Then the treated vein permanently disappears as your body naturally absorbs the scar tissue.
The number of injections you need and the length of your procedure depend on the extent of your spider veins. After sclerotherapy for spider veins on your legs, you wear compression stockings or bandages to maintain pressure on the treated veins. It’s also important to avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight for a few weeks.
Noninvasive laser treatment
The team at Florida Lakes Vein Center quickly and safely uses a noninvasive laser treatment to eliminate spider veins. The red- and blue-colored pigments in the veins only absorb the laser, so it doesn’t harm your skin. The heat from the laser breaks down the veins, and then your body naturally clears away the waste.
You may have slight redness or swelling after a laser treatment. However, these side effects don’t last long, and you won’t need to take downtime.
If you’re ready to permanently eliminate spider veins, call Florida Lakes Vein Center or book an appointment online.
