6+ Things You Should Know About Spider Veins
- Posted on: Sep 30 2022
Have you been noticing bluish-purple veins on your legs? These may be spider veins, and you may be wondering what exactly they are, if they are anything to worry about, and, of course, how to get rid of them!
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins can branch out until they look like spider webs, which is how they got their name. They may be purple, red, or blue, and they form when veins are damaged or become weakened. Here are some other things you should know about spider veins:
1. They typically occur later in life, but they can occur at any time.
2. Thanks to shifting hormone levels throughout life, women are more likely than men to have spider veins. These hormones can weaken vein walls.
3. Other risk factors for spider veins include having a family history of them and obesity. For some, they are the result of years of either standing or sitting for long periods of time. And for others, they are just a part of getting older.
4. Spider veins are different than varicose veins, which bulge out from the skin and can be quite painful. Varicose veins might indicate there is a serious underlying issue, but spider veins are typically not dangerous (although in some people they can cause aching, burning, and swelling).
5. You can help to prevent spider veins by wearing plenty of sunscreen, getting regular exercise, and avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time.
6. We typically think of spider veins on the legs, but they can also appear on other areas of the body, even the face.
Another thing you should know about spider veins is that you don’t have to live with them! Spider Vein Treatments to reduce their appearance include laser vein therapy and sclerotherapy. In laser vein therapy, the laser causes spider veins to shrink, and eventually they fade. In sclerotherapy, a solution is injected into the vein to collapse the vein.
Spider veins can be unsightly and annoying, but there is help available. Contact the office of Dr. David Altamira, in Sugarland or Houston, for help with your spider veins. Call (713) 271-9000 for an appointment today!
Posted in: SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT
