Although they may look like varicose veins, spider veins are often painless damaged veins on the legs or facial region. Most people seek treatment for for cosmetic reasons.
The veins usually appear in small webs, branches, or thin lines, which sometimes earns them the name “thread veins.”
Treatments that reduce the appearance of or altogether remove spider veins are available. First, let’s look at what causes them.
Causes of Spider Veins
What causes spider veins? They occur due to damaged valves. Veins, which carry blood to the heart, need valves to prevent the backward flow of blood. But when these one-way valves weaken or get damaged, unidirectional blood flow is disrupted. This causes blood to pool inside the vein.
Over time, this pooling blood makes the vein bulge, then branch out, leading to spider veins.
Facial spider veins often appear due to sun damage or increased pressure, which can cause tiny blood vessels to burst.
Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins
Are spider veins the same as varicose veins? Each of these medical conditions is a form of venous insufficiency or chronic venous insufficiency. Even though they’re both caused by weakened and damaged valves, they tend to have different symptoms.
Spider veins appear as tiny, thin threads or lines that are flat or slightly raised. Varicose veins are much larger and deeper and tend to be lumpy and twisted.
Spider veins are often blue, purple, or red, whereas varicose veins are invariably red or flesh-colored.
Also, varicose veins can cause various other symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, itching, and pain. They increase the likelihood of circulatory issues and blood clots.
Risk Factors for Spider Veins
Endovascular Today – Analysis Shows Similar Efficacy For UFE Versus Myomectomy, With Greater Improvement In Menorrhagia And Less Need For Blood Transfusion
March 25, 2019— Research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting found that patients with uterine fibroids treated via embolization (UFE) were less likely to require blood transfusions than those treated with surgical myomectomy and that similar efficacy could be expected between the procedures.
What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes
ULTRASOUND
ULTRASOUND
Your treatment will begin with an ultrasound examination of your veins, arteries, or both, in your legs to diagnose the presence and extent of the disease. Your test results will be immediately available to review with the doctor.
CONSULT
CONSULT
Once we review the results of your diagnostic tests, our physicians will help you develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment for your disease.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
Depending on the extent of disease in your arteries or veins, our specialists may recommend minimally invasive intervention and/or prescribe medications to help your symptoms.
FOLLOW UP
FOLLOW UP
It is important to make sure that you return for every scheduled follow-up appointment to ensure that your disease is appropriately monitored. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or schedule a follow-up appointment with our staff.