Vein Condition

Spider Veins

What Are Spider Veins?

These squiggly red, blue or purple widened blood vessels near the surface of the skin are extremely common. About half of all women will develop them at some point, and men get them, too. Spider veins are not harmful to your health, but they may indicate a more serious problem. They can cause burning or discomfort, especially on the legs, and many people who have them don’t like the way they look.

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FAQs

Like varicose veins, spider veins are often a sign of chronic venous insufficiency. In this condition, faulty valves in the veins allow some of the blood they carry to pool in the veins rather than returning to the heart. This pooled blood puts pressure on the veins, causing them to swell. The veins themselves can also lose elasticity, becoming wider and more stretched out than normal.

Several factors can contribute to their development, including family history, age, weight and your sex. Women are more likely to develop problem veins. Hormone fluctuations, which occur during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, can increase your risk for circulation issues. Other factors that play a role are wearing high heels, sun exposure and injury.

Spider veins themselves are not harmful to your health. However, they may indicate that a more serious problem, such as venous insufficiency.

Spider veins can be very uncomfortable. “While some people seek treatment for them for cosmetic reasons, most want to remove them because they may itch and cause a throbbing, burning or heavy sensation,” said John Koziarski, MD, a board-certified general/vascular surgeon at AQUA Vein Center.

You can’t necessarily prevent spider veins, especially if they run in your family, but these measures can help you lower your risk:

  • Wear compression socks or stockings if recommended by your doctor; they help minimize the pooling of blood in the skin of the legs
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take walking breaks if you have to stand or sit for long periods
  • Wear low-heeled shoes
  • Elevate your legs above your heart when you lie down
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Treatments for Spider Veins

Treating the veins with a minimally invasive procedure causes them to close. Once they are closed, the body eventually absorbs them. The vein specialists at AQUA Vein Center are experts in spider vein treatment and successfully treat hundreds of spider vein patients each year.

During your vein consultation, one of our vein physicians will examine you, discuss your medical history and explain your treatment options.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the standard, preferred treatment for most spider veins. In this procedure, the physician uses a very thin needle to inject an irritating liquid or foam, known as a sclerosant, into the vein and its branch vessels. The sclerosant irritates the vein walls, which eventually causes the vein to collapse. Once it does, the body reroutes the blood through nearby veins.

Sclerotherapy for spider veins takes about 30 minutes per session. Most people need two or more sessions to treat all of their spider veins. You will feel a small pinch each time the needle goes in, but the procedure is not painful. The physician will recommend wearing compression socks or stockings for several days afterward to minimize bruising and improve results.

VeinGogh Ohmic Thermolysis System

This minimally invasive procedure is often recommended for spider veins that are too small to be treated with sclerotherapy, particularly spider veins on the face. In this procedure, bursts of radiofrequency energy are delivered from the tip of a tiny needle inserted just under the skin. The needle is as thin as a hair, so any discomfort is minimal.

Laser treatment

For veins that are too small for sclerotherapy or don’t respond, laser treatment is another option offered at AQUA Vein Center. This procedure uses a focused beam of light to close the spider veins, making them disappear by causing the blood in the vein to clot.

AQUA Vein Center specialists use state-of-the-art lasers such as the DORNIER Medilas D FlexiPulse 940 to provide the best possible outcome. You’ll need to stay out of the sun for several weeks after laser treatment to reduce your risk of developing brown spots in the treated area.

No matter which spider vein treatment you undergo, you can resume your normal activities right after your procedure.