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Spider
veins are
small
threadlike
veins that
lie close
to the
surface of
the skin.
They
connect to
the larger
veins but
are
non-essential.
Spider
veins are
usually
not
associated
with
symptoms.
Causes
of Spider
Veins
Heredity
is the
number one
contributing
factor
causing
varicose
and spider
veins.
Women are
more
likely
than men
to suffer
from
abnormal
leg veins
with up to
50% of
American
women
being
affected.
Hormonal
factors
including
puberty,
pregnancy,
menopause,
the use of
birth
control
pills,
estrogen,
and
progesterone
contribute
to this
condition.
It is very
common for
pregnant
women to
develop
varicose
veins
during the
first
trimester
since
pregnancy
causes
increases
in hormone
levels and
blood
volume
which in
turn cause
veins to
enlarge.
Varicose
veins due
to
pregnancy
often
improve
within 3
months
after
delivery.
However,
with
successive
pregnancies,
abnormal
veins are
more
likely to
remain.
Other
predisposing
factors
include
aging,
standing
occupations,
obesity
and leg
injury.
The
Difference
Between
Spider &
Varicose
Veins
Arteries
carry
blood from
the heart
towards
the body
parts,
while
veins
carry
blood from
the body
parts back
to the
heart. As
the blood
is pumped
back to
the heart,
veins act
as one-way
valves to
prevent
the blood
from
flowing
backwards.
If the
one-way
valve
becomes
weak, some
of the
blood can
leak back
into the
vein,
collect
there, and
then
become
congested
or
clogged.
This
congestion
will cause
the vein
to
abnormally
enlarge.
These
enlarged
veins can
be either
varicose
veins or
spider
veins.
Varicose
Veins
Varicose
veins are
very
swollen
and raised
above the
surface of
the skin.
They are
dark
purple or
blue in
color, and
can look
like cords
or very
twisted
and
bulging.
They are
found most
often on
the backs
of the
calves or
on the
inside of
the leg,
anywhere
from the
groin to
the ankle.
During
pregnancy,
varicose
veins
called
hemorrhoids
can form
in the
vagina or
around the
anus.
Spider
Veins
Spider
veins are
similar to
varicose
veins, but
they are
smaller,
are often
red or
blue in
color, and
are closer
to the
surface of
the skin
than
varicose
veins.
They can
look like
a tree
branch or
spider web
with their
short
jagged
lines.
Spider
veins can
be found
on both
the legs
and the
face. They
can cover
either a
very small
or very
large area
of skin.
Treatment
Options
New
technology
in laser
treatments
can
effectively
treat
spider
veins in
the legs.
Laser
surgery
sends very
strong
bursts of
light onto
the vein.
This can
makes the
vein
slowly
fade and
disappear.
Lasers are
very
direct and
accurate.
So the
proper
laser
controlled
by a
skilled
doctor
will
usually
only
damage the
area being
treated.
Most skin
types and
colors can
be safely
treated
with
lasers.
Laser
surgery
is more
appealing
to some
patients
because it
does not
use
needles or
incisions.
When the
laser hits
the skin,
the
patient
may feel a
heat
sensation.
Cooling
helps
reduce the
pain.
Laser
treatments
last for
15 to 20
minutes.
Depending
on the
severity
of the
veins, two
to five
treatments
are
generally
needed to
remove
spider
veins in
the legs.
Patients
can return
to normal
activity
right
after
treatment.
Sclerotherapy
is a
procedure
in which a
chemical
solution
is
injected
into veins
to cause
them to
collapse
and form
scar
tissue
that
permanently
closes
them.
Nearby
veins take
up
re-routed
blood
flow.
Sclerotherapy
requires
multiple
treatments
to close
off all
affected
veins.
Additional
treatments
may be
needed
from time
to time as
new
enlarged
veins
appear.
Side
effects of
sclerotherapy
may
include
slight
swelling,
bruising,
and
redness
and
itching at
injection
sites.
See Also:
Facial
Veins and
Broken
Capillaries
If you
need more
information
or would
like to
schedule
and
appointment
for a
consultation,
please
click here
to contact
us or
call one
of our
offices
at:
(212) 285-1110
New York
(516)
512-7616
Long
Island |
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