Spider veins are red, blue, or purple blood vessels that appear on the skin. They seem like a spider’s web hence the name spider veins. Spider veins Evergreen Park may appear anywhere on the skin but are most common on the face. They are often found on the legs and ankles, which tend to be more noticeable.
Spider veins are more than just an aesthetic problem. They can also be painful. If you have this condition, you may feel a stinging sensation in your legs as your circulation tries to push blood through them. You may feel this pain after sitting for long periods, standing, walking downstairs, or going up a hill. This feeling is called pitting edema. It is caused by pressure building up in the veins due to gravity or exercise.
What is the treatment for spider veins?
Spider veins are most commonly treated with sclerotherapy, during which a solution is injected into the vein to cause it to collapse and thus become less noticeable. Several different topical anesthetics may be used before the procedure to reduce pain and discomfort. The success rate for this treatment depends on several factors, including the number and size of the veins being treated and their location.
The procedure is usually performed in a doctor’s office or outpatient surgery center under local anesthesia and takes less than an hour to complete. Afterwards, patients may experience mild swelling or bruising around the injection site that lasts anywhere from three days to one week. It is normal for spider veins to temporarily worsen following treatment due to increased blood flow to the area.
The causes of spider veins and How to control them
Spider veins are unsightly, but they are not dangerous. That does not mean you have to live with them, though. The good news is that you can control them.
Spider veins are caused by factors that, for most people, have nothing to do with being overweight or out of shape. They are related to your circulatory system, particularly the valves in your veins that allow blood to flow one way and not the other. If those valves are not functioning properly, blood can start flowing backwards, causing an area of red or blue discoloration on the skin’s surface. Those backed-up blood vessels are the spider veins.
Over time, they can get worse and spread out from their original location. They can even break open and cause bleeding, which is why some people, particularly women, find their spider veins noticeable during their menstrual cycle or after childbirth.
However, you can control them by wearing loose clothes. It is important to wear clothing that is not too tight or constricting. If your veins are visible and you wear tight pants or a skirt that show off your spider veins, it can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. This may also give you the wrong impression of how others perceive these veins if they notice them. It can also irritate the spider veins and cause them to feel painful or itchier than usual. Wear loose-fitting clothing so that there is plenty of room between your skin and the fabric of your clothes.
It is always a good idea to consult your doctor if you are experiencing a new, persistent symptom, so speak to your primary care physician if you have developed spider veins. The good news is that they are usually easy to treat, although your physician may recommend lasers or sclerotherapy when symptoms become particularly bothersome. Remember, it is always worth consulting a Vascular Specialist to get a professional opinion on the best treatment or prevention path.
