Spider veins are a common nuisance that anyone can contract. While they rarely cause any physical discomfort unlike varicose veins, they are extremely unsightly and can cause patients do develop a serious self-esteem issue. Like with varicose veins, there are several preventive methods to keep spider veins at bay, and the most effective one is to keep your leg circulation in check. Fortunately, even if you have already contracted them, spider vein treatments are a common practice and are easy to recover from.
At Beverly Hills Vein Institute we often get asked the same question: “why do I get spider veins?” And the answer is different from person to person. However there are several patterns that lead to the development of spider veins. But first, you need to know what spider veins are.
Increased pressure in the leg veins causes spider veins, and the experts are not completely sure why some people contract them and others do not. One thing they are sure about is that the tendency to develop spider veins is passed on through the genetic code, and as we get older our chances of contracting them increases. Furthermore, some jobs that involve long periods of standing increase the risk of contracting spider veins.
A lot of people confuse spider veins with varicose veins. Unlike large, varicose veins, spider veins are small in diameter and are typically purple or blue in color. Spider veins can also be red in color, but this is very uncommon. They are flat and can range from a few veins to patches that cover large areas of the skin. Most often spider veins are just a cosmetic nuisance, but few patients report a burning sensation in the area affected by spider veins. Furthermore, symptoms like leg swelling, feeling of heaviness or tiredness can develop, but are not that common.
The same things that applies for varicose vein prevention mostly applies to spider veins as well. First and foremost, if your work demands long periods of standing, try to take as many breaks as you can and rest your legs. Additionally, if your work demands hours of sitting, try and take as many walks as possible, as sitting can lead to the development of spider veins as well.
Getting support for your legs through compression stockings can also help prevent and help with spider veins at an early stage of development. Again, this is extremely important if your line of work puts you in at risk of developing this issue. Regular exercise can also help prevent spider veins, as this improves your leg circulation and significantly decreases your chances of developing spider veins.
Finally, schedule a routine checkup with a trusted vein doctor in Los Angeles, as both spider and varicose veins can develop with no apparent signs on the skin. Regularly getting checked for spider veins and treating them early can make all the difference.
Fortunately, removing varicose veins and spider veins has never been easier thanks to the advancements in modern medicine. The most common spider vein therapy is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution called sclerosant into the spider vein. The solution forces the affected veins to swell and collapse which also stops the blood flow through these veins. The vein turns into a scar that completely fades after a few weeks. Sclerotherapy can last between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the affected area and the number of veins the doctor treats.
Sclerotherapy is a safe, painless and effective way to get rid of spider veins. It can help deal with the cosmetic issue spider veins pose and relieve the pain that sometimes develops. To book an appointment and get rid of spider veins, contact us the Beverly Hills Vein Institute online or at (310) 853-5850.
