While spider veins are similar to
varicose veins, they are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin. These veins are often red or blue, and they can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short, jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a small or large area of skin.
About 50 to 55 percent of American women and 40 to 45 percent of American men suffer from some form of vein problem (spider veins or varicose veins).
What Causes Spider Veins?
The backing up of blood in the veins is the cause of spider veins.
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the body. Arteries carry blood from the heart toward the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.
The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency.
The force of gravity, the pressure of body weight, and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location for spider veins. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart and endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the veins' one-way valves.
Risk Factors for Spider Veins
Risk factors are things that increase the chances of developing a health condition. The more risk factors you have for a particular condition, the greater your chances of developing it. Risk factors for spider veins include:
- Increasing age.
- Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves.
- Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increases the risk of varicose or spider veins.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body, which can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Spider veins usually improve within three months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
- Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing, and other things that weaken vein valves.
- Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.
Not all spider veins can be prevented, but some things can reduce your chances of getting new ones. These same things can help ease discomfort from the spider veins you already have:
- Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
- Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
- Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting.
- Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.
- Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.
- Wear elastic support stockings, and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs.
- Eat a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Eating too much salt can cause you to retain water or swell.
Your doctor can diagnose spider veins by looking at them. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor can take x-rays or ultrasound pictures of the vein to determine the cause and severity. You may want to speak with a doctor who specializes in vein diseases (phlebologist).
Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are best for your spider veins and lifestyle. Not all cases are the same.
If treatment is recommended or desired to get rid of spider veins, some available options include:
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser surgery.
Recurrence of Spider Veins
Current treatments for spider veins have high success rates. Over a period of years, however, more abnormal veins can develop. There is no cure for weak vein valves, and over time, pressure gradually builds up in the leg veins. Ultrasound can be used to keep track of how badly the valves are leaking (venous insufficiency). Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.
