By Mathew 
Spider and varicose veins are vascular conditions that occur when the valves inside your thread veins don’t function properly. Damaged valves allow blood to flow backward, causing pooling in the veins. Pooling blood causes the veins to bulge, making them visible through the skin. Here’s a look at spider veins, including their causes, who can get them, and treatment options:
What Is a Spider Vein?
Telangiectasis, also known as spider veins, are small, dilated blood vessels that may appear on your thighs, lower legs, or face. They are similar to varicose veins but are tiny and appear in shades of red, blue, or purple. Some cases are harmless and can disappear without medical intervention, but others cause various symptoms, including aching, itching, and night cramps. Other unwanted symptoms include heaviness in the legs and burning sensations. If you experience such symptoms, speak to a cardiovascular specialist for treatment. You can also address harmless spider and varicose veins for cosmetic reasons.
The underlying cause of spider and varicose veins is damaged valves. Veins and some capillaries carry blood back to your heart and feature valves to stop blood from flowing backward. The valves shut once blood passes through. When these valves fail and don’t shut properly, they allow blood to flow backward, causing pooling, bulging, and clotting. Telangiectasis usually involves capillaries, venules, and arterioles that connect to the veins. Varicose veins are larger because they involve valve failure inside the veins.
Who Can Get a Spider Vein?
Spider and varicose veins affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. The condition is prevalent in women due to hormonal factors caused by puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and birth control pills. Pregnancy causes increased blood flow, and the extra weight of the fetus on your leg veins can lead to blood clotting. Hormonal birth controls and treatments for menopause also increase estrogen levels, which can weaken valves. Men can develop these veins at any time in their lives, but they are usually due to genetics. If your family members have the condition, you’re more likely to get them. The risk of developing telangiectasis also increases if you have a history of injuries or blood clots.
Age is another risk factor because valves and calf muscles that pump blood upwards weaken over time. If you’re overweight, the extra body weight can increase pressure on your leg veins, resulting in spider and varicose veins. Other people who can develop telangiectasis include those with desk jobs or security guards who spend hours sitting or standing. Staying in the same position for extended periods causes the veins to work harder to pump blood back to the heart. Activities that put pressure on your face, such as forceful coughing or pushing during childbirth, cause temporary bulging veins on your face.
Speak to a Spider Veins Specialist Today
Treatment for spider and varicose veins usually involves sclerotherapy or laser therapy. Sclerotherapy injects a sclerosant into the veins, while laser therapy uses heat to damage the vein. In both cases, the vein is absorbed into the body over time, and blood is rerouted to healthy veins. Speak to a cardiovascular specialist today to learn more about your spider veins and treatment options.
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