What Causes Spider Veins?
There isn’t just one single factor behind causing spider veins, as it might happen due to several reasons. In general, they are caused by the weakening and expansion of the vein walls. Still, one reason can’t be associated with this issue. Following are some major causes of spider veins.
1. Hormonal Changes
You might experience hormonal changes either due to pregnancy, menopause, puberty, or breastfeeding. Most of the first trimesters begin developing spider veins on the legs due to the changes that occur in the progesterone and estrogen hormone levels in the body. These changes weaken the vein walls and cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction.
2. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women might experience this venous problem in some parts of their menstrual cycle. While pregnant, they are at more risk of developing this issue as they have more blood in their bodies, which puts extra pressure on the whole circulatory system. In this case, they get spider veins in their ankle region that often come with a painful blood clot.
3. Injury Or Trauma
In instances wherein excess pressure is put on the small veins for a long time, chances are there that they will get dilated, due to which valves might not be able to close properly. Additionally, trauma to the vein can damage it and cause bruising. Under this condition again, this venous problem is visible on the legs.
4. Prolonged Standing Or Sitting
Those individuals who remain on their ankle for an extended period are much more likely to experience this problem of spider veins. Women who wear high heels or tight shoes will have excess pressure on the veins of their ankles, due to which they might get enlarged and become red, blue, or purple in color.
5. Genetic Issues
Many experts suggest that family history is the main cause of this vein problem. As per conducted studies, around 90% of the people suffering from spider veins had one of their parents face the same problem. Moreover, experts advocated that the possibility of some inherited flaws may also affect one’s vein’s strength, again putting them at a greater risk of facing this problem.
6. Liver Disease
Some sort of liver illness might also cause spider veins, often referred to as spider angiomas. Many healthcare experts suggested that this vein problem might be one of the early signs of a fatty liver disease, specifically if it appears on the rib cage area.
Symptoms Of Spider Veins
Upon facing spider veins, you will come across a number of symptoms, of which some might be less severe while others are fierce. Their location and appearance are also supposed to vary again based on their severity. Following are some of its most common symptoms:
- Red, blue, or purple-colored web-like structure on the skin
- Burning
- Itching
- Swelling
- Dry Skin
- Brownish stains on the skin
- Tired Legs
- Pain
- Cramping
- Minor injury causing longer bleeding
- Swollen Ankles
Treatments For Spider Veins
Treating spider veins often becomes necessary when its symptoms start discomforting the individual. In many cases, people often get relief from using home remedies only, such as compression socks for spider veins. While others do require medical treatment. Have a look at what all possible treatments are available for it:
1. Sclerotherapy
This is the most commonly used procedure for treating spider veins. It’s a minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment under which a chemical is injected inside the vein that causes it to swell and get sealed shut. With time, the spider vein will fade away by turning into a scar. After the treatment, it’s advised to wear a compression stocking for around 3-6 days when the treated area is small and for around 6-7 weeks when the area is large. In general, it takes around three to six weeks to see the final results.
2. Laser Therapy
It’s a noninvasive treatment under which a hand-held device is used to heat the vein with photons from a laser. The blood cells in the veins absorb the laser light and destroy the blood vessels. This damaged vein then shrinks and ultimately dissolves over time. At max, it takes around 30 minutes for the whole procedure to take place. Mostly it’s used for spider veins on the face that are smaller than 3 millimeters in size. For some individuals, multiple sessions of this therapy might be required.
3. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
Under this noninvasive treatment, light is used to penetrate the skin without damaging the skin’s top layer. The used device releases light that heats up and damages the spider veins that destroy them. With time, the body takes in and absorbs the destroyed veins. It’s most effective for spider veins on the legs and arms. This is much safer than radiofrequency or electrocautery techniques for treating spider veins.
4. Compression Socks
The doctor advises them to be used when the symptoms are minimal to mild. Compression stocking, commonly referred to as compression socks, is made using a specialized weave of strong elastic that compresses the muscles. It is advised to wear them for around 6 months at least to see their full effects. They work by applying gentle pressure to the ankles and legs, which improves the blood flow while reducing the swelling and pain as well.
5. Surgery(Endoscopic Vein Surgery)
It’s a medical procedure that is used for treating extreme cases of varicose veins. Under it, the surgical expert makes a small incision near the place of the spider vein and fills it with a thin tube combined with a tiny camera as well as a surgical device. The camera is used to go through the vein and place the surgical device. Generally, it’s the last resort wherein the doctor finds other treatments ineffective.
6. Ablation
For it, the medical expert uses heat or chemicals to enclose the spider veins and improve their appearance. This is a method that involves only a few complications and less pain as well. Although the individual is allowed to go home the same day, it’s advised to not lift any heavy weights or do any difficult exercise.
Wrapping Up
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasia or thread veins, are a common issue during pregnancy. Although they are not an issue of concern, adequate treatment is still required when the symptoms become bothersome. If their symptoms are mild, using the best compression socks for spider veins by SNUG360 would do the job for you to provide the required relief, as otherwise medical treatment might be required.