Vascular and Vein Institute of the South
Spider Veins Q & A
What are spider veins?
Having beautiful, regular looking skin is a gift that everyone should be able to enjoy. In addition to numerous skin conditions or age-related blemishes that may alter the appearance of your skin, spider veins can also cause problems. A spider vein is a small, damaged vein that appears on the surface of your skin.
In contrast to healthy veins, spider veins can appear purple, blue, or red, sometimes creating a dramatic display. Spider veins branch out in many directions much as a spider web does, which is why they are called spider veins. While spider veins are usually not harmful, many people wish to have them treated for cosmetic reasons.
What causes spider veins?
Ordinarily, your veins carry blood back to your heart from all over your body. However, this complex process can develop problems. Every vein contains many small valves that allow your blood to flow in the direction of your heart. These same valves also serve to prevent the blood from flowing backward, away from the heart. However, the valves can weaken and stop working over time, allowing the blood to flow back away from the heart and leading to a stagnation of the blood.
This stagnated blood builds up in the artery, increasing the pressure. Eventually, the pressure results in small veins forming from the central veins, creating spider veins. Spider veins occur most often in the legs, but they can also occur in the face. Facial spider veins most commonly develop from bursting veins due to increased pressure or sun damage.
How are spider veins treated?
Fortunately, there is a range of methods to treat spider veins. Compression stockings can help prevent the formation of new veins from occurring by placing pressure on the veins. Sclerotherapy and closure systems can also work to treat spider veins over time, minimizing their appearance. These methods work by injecting a substance into the area to keep the blood moving in the right direction, avoiding stagnation, which leads to the development of spider veins.
To learn more about spider veins and how you can treat them, call or use the online booking feature today.
