Spider Veins

Concerned about spider veins? Make an Appointment

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

Pregnancy

Pregnancy increases blood flow and puts extra weight on the legs. This dramatically increases the chances of pregnant women developing spider veins on the legs.

Sometimes they disappear after the pregnancy, but in some cases, they can be permanent.

Genetics

90% of people who develop spider veins have a history of them in their family. The condition is usually hereditary.

Gender

Females are more likely to develop spider veins than men are.

Age

The valves in the leg veins weaken with age, increasing the likelihood of blood pooling in the veins. Calf muscles give some support to veins, but with age, these muscles weaken too.

Hormones

Estrogen weakens valves, so taking hormonal treatments for birth control or menopause increases the risk of spider veins.

Excessive Facial Pressure

Coughing, sneezing, or vomiting forcefully may give rise to spider veins. This is because excessive pressure in the face can cause blood vessels to rupture. Women are especially prone to facial spider veins during childbirth due to the pressure of pushing.

Sun Damage

Sun damage can also cause facial spider veins when it breaks through skin and damages underlying blood vessels. Ultraviolet light can burst blood vessels, causing pooling.

BMI

Being overweight can add more pressure on leg veins, making valves more likely to malfunction.

Sitting or Standing Too Much

Staying in the same position for extended periods makes it harder for veins to pump blood upwards to the heart.

Pre-Existing Blood Clot or Vein Damage

When there’s already damage to the vein or a clot, the valves malfunction more easily, increasing the likelihood of spider veins occurring.

spider veins treatment before and after - Pedes Orange County

Treatments for Spider Veins

Unlike varicose veins, spider veins are harmless. Most people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. However, treatment will also alleviate the mild yet persistent discomfort this condition sometimes causes.

Spider Veins Treatments

Why Pedes Orange County

A spider vein looks very different from a varicose vein, and generally, they don’t affect you like varicose veins, but they can be just as severe as varicose veins when they are in groups or clumps. Preventing this condition is possible through self-care and minor lifestyle adjustments. It’s vital to be proactive if your family has a history of the condition. Give us a call and talk to one of our specialists.

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.

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What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes

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

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

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

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.