Spider veins are aptly named: The delicate “spidery” lines that spread web-like across your skin are usually red or bluish in color, and usually on your legs. Apart from being a cosmetic concern, spider veins can be a precursor to larger varicose veins. Spider veins are common in certain people, but you might wonder who’s more likely to get them, and why they occur in the first place.
How Spider Veins Develop
Spider veins are really small varicose veins, and they usually occur when blood flowing through the veins backs up after valves in the blood vessels fail. These valves usually prevent the blood that is returning to your heart from backing up. But, when they malfunction or leak, blood pools or stagnates. This in turn can distend the veins, causing discoloration and spider vein formation.
What Can Lead to Spider Veins?
Many factors can increase your likelihood of developing spider veins, including:
- Your genes, which means that spider veins tend to run in families
- Sun damage and exposure
- Skin conditions such as acne and rosacea
- Being pregnant
- Excessive drinking of alcohol
- Certain medications that relax the blood vessels
- Long-term use of medications that contain topical (skin) corticosteroids
- Advancing age that weakens the strength of blood vessel walls
Certain medical conditions, such as liver disease including cirrhosis, also might cause spider veins, along with more serious symptoms. Other conditions include:
Scleroderma
This rare connective tissue disorder causes skin blotches on the face, but sometimes also causes scar-type formations all over the body, including organs. Spider veins usually occur in the more limited form of scleroderma that affects the face, hands, and feet.
Dermatomyositis
This inflammatory disease can cause spider veins, rashes, and other problems.
Where Do Spider Veins Usually Show Up?
Typically, spider veins show up on your legs. Because blood has a harder time flowing back up to your heart from the lowest part of your body, it pools there first, distending the veins and discoloring the skin. Spider veins that are caused by underlying conditions may show up on the face, too.
Treatment
If there is no underlying medical problem causing your spider veins, they probably don’t pose a health risk. In fact, many physicians suggest that you simply wear compression stockings to prevent spider veins on your legs from enlarging.
However, if you have concerns about the way spider veins look, especially on your face, there are treatments available to minimize their appearance or treat the cause. Antibiotics for the skin help treat spider veins caused by skin conditions such as acne. Laser therapy effectively treats small spider veins on your face and legs with minimal downtime.
Prevention
Even if you do not want therapy to remove or minimize spider veins on your legs, preventing them from worsening is important. That means wearing compression socks or hose, trying to lose weight if you are overweight, avoiding standing for long periods of time, staying active, and eating a healthy diet.
Comprehensive Medical Care in South Carolina
If you have questions about spider veins, varicose veins, or other issues, the medical experts at SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC are here to help.
To find out more about our medical services, please call our office at (803) 749-1111, or request an appointment with our online form.
