Spider veins are also known as Telangiectasias and they are masses of very small dilated blood vessels that form close to the surface of the skin. They commonly develop on the face and legs and are usually red, blue or purple. While similar to varicose veins, spider veins are tinier and form closer to the skin.
Who gets spider veins?
Older people above the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing spider veins, with more women being diagnosed with them than men. As spider veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins, those who have to stand for extended periods of time are more susceptible to developing them.
Some other factors that contribute to a higher risk of developing spider veins include:
Age
Hereditary
Overly tight clothing
Obesity
Pregnancy
Standing/sitting for extended periods of time
Spider veins generally do not cause much cause for concern or pain, but there are cases whereby patients have complained of swelling, and feelings of tiredness and heaviness in the affected areas. In addition to the abovementioned sensations, skin ulcers may also develop and most sufferers are troubled by the unsightly appearance of spider veins as well.
Prevention
You cannot completely prevent spider veins from appearing but you can lower the risks of it developing. Here are some ways to do so:
Increase blood circulation
Frequent exercises can help keep the blood flowing in the legs and increase blood circulation to prevent the build-up of blood pressure in the blood vessels.
Decrease pressure
Try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. If you really have to, take a short stroll every 30 minutes or so to prevent the build-up of pressure in the veins.
Elevate your legs
Keeping your legs higher than your heart will promote blood flow to the legs, effectively reducing pressure in the blood vessels.
Treatment
Spider veins usually do not require treatment but some patients may choose to opt for any of the following effective procedures to have them removed.
Support stocking
Also known as compression stockings, a lightweight pair can effectively improve circulation in the legs which will lead to decreased pressure. You can choose from a variety of styles and compression strengths, and they are conveniently available at drugstores and medical supply shops. wearing compression stocking will not make the spider veins disappear, it will prevent deterioration and they are not available in any drug stores, only available in medical supply stores located in the hospitals. Contact LifeForce Hub to get your compression stockings.
Sclerotherapy
This medical procedure is the most common treatment for spider veins and can be performed in your doctor’s office with no anesthesia required. A liquid solution is injected directly into the vein, causing it to collapse and transform into a scar. This scar will go away after a few weeks and the spider veins will be completely eradicated. It will take several Sclerotherapy treatments for visible effects to be seen.
Laser
This is another medical procedure that can be easily performed in your doctor’s office and it is usually the procedure of choice for smaller blood vessels that cannot be injected into. Laser treatment is sometimes performed together with sclerotherapy to attain the optimal results.
As mentioned before, spider veins are generally painless and require no special treatment. However, if you are bothered with how it looks, it will be best to have them removed with the treatments available. Click here for - Insole for High Arch