Many active, healthy people develop spider veins. While these dilated blood vessels are typically harmless, they can be a source of worry, discomfort, and even self-consciousness for many patients. Spider veins are not aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly, could they indicate a more profound health concern?
It’s common for patients to view spider veins as a cosmetic concern. However, for some, they might also be an early warning sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or other underlying vascular conditions. When patients understand spider veins' causes and underlying complications, they can make more informed decisions with their vascular specialist.
Spider veins are dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface. They are typically found on the face and legs but can also develop on the chest or the abdomen and form small, web-like patterns.
Unlike varicose veins, which are more prominent, swollen veins that often cause discomfort, spider veins are generally smaller and less likely to cause pain. Patients with spider veins may not have any uncomfortable symptoms, but those that do may experience:
Burning, itching, or cramping
Aching, heavy feeling in the legs
Changes in skin color or texture around the spider veins
Pain in the lower legs that worsens after standing for long periods
Even if you're not experiencing uncomfortable spider vein symptoms, for some patients, they can negatively impact self-esteem and lead to self-consciousness, affecting the patient's mental health and quality of life. If you have concerns or questions about changes to your spider veins, seek your vascular specialist's opinion.
Spider veins develop gradually and become more noticeable over time due to weakened or damaged valves within the affected blood vessels. These valves regulate blood flow, ensuring it moves efficiently toward the heart. When these valves weaken, blood can flow backward and accumulate, causing small blood vessels near the skin's surface to dilate and become visible.
Several lifestyle and health factors can contribute to the weakening of blood vessels and cause spider veins, including:
Family history of spider veins
Hormone changes such as with pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal birth control
Obesity
Prolonged periods of inactivity
Excessive sun exposure
Age
Gender
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Understanding the causes of spider veins highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing risk factors. By being mindful of these contributing elements and taking proactive measures, patients can reduce their risk of developing spider veins and promote better overall vascular health.
Preventing spider veins involves making specific lifestyle changes and taking proactive steps to maintain and improve vascular health. If you have any questions or medical limitations, talk to your vascular specialist before changing your diet or exercise routine.
Staying active with regular exercise is the most effective way to enhance circulation, strengthen your veins, and improve your overall health. Walking, swimming, and cycling are particularly beneficial for vascular health and are low-impact and easy for beginners.
Incorporate elevating your legs into your daily movement as a warm-up or cool-down. Lying flat and elevating your legs above your heart for 15 minutes can improve your circulation and decrease the possibility of spider veins.
Eating a balanced diet that includes leafy greens, lean meats, and proteins can improve your vascular health and help you stay at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can improve overall health and prevent spider veins and more severe vascular issues. Obesity is a primary cause of spider veins. Losing weight can lower the risk of developing or worsening spider veins by decreasing pressure on the veins in the legs and lower extremities.
Small daily changes can help improve your vein health and prevent the formation of spider veins. Remember to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sun exposure, which can prevent skin and vein damage. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoiding salty foods or caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate you can also improve your vein health and lower your risk of spider veins.
Wearing compression stockings can provide extra support to your veins, helping to prevent the formation of spider veins and improve your circulation.
Talk to your vascular specialist if you notice any new or changing spider veins, changes to your skin, or symptoms like aching and discomfort become more prominent. Spider veins are generally not dangerous in terms of health risks. However, in rare cases, they can indicate more severe vein conditions, such as chronic venous insufficiency.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the veins in your legs have difficulty pumping blood back up to your heart. Tiny valves inside your veins assist healthy blood flow, and when these valves become damaged or weakened, blood can leak backward and accumulate in your legs.
Chronic venous insufficiency can cause symptoms including:
Swelling in your lower extremities
Aching, heaviness, or cramping in your legs
Dry, itchy skin on your legs
Changes in the color of your skin, such as brown or red skin near your ankles
Varicose veins
Open sores (leg ulcers)
Tingling or burning sensation in the legs
Consult with your vascular specialist if your spider veins get worse, start to bleed, or are accompanied by skin changes, swelling, or discoloration or if the number of spider veins increases rapidly or becomes more prominent over a short period.
If your concerns are cosmetic, health-oriented, or both, there's no wrong reason to talk to your vascular specialist about getting treatment for your spider veins. Consider the following when talking to your vascular specialist about spider vein treatment options:
Symptom Relief: If your spider veins cause pain, itching, swelling, or discomfort, removal can provide relief and prevent the appearance of more spider or varicose veins.
Improved Confidence: Many people choose to remove spider veins for cosmetic reasons, especially if they are prominent and affect their self-confidence.
Treatment Options: Several treatment options are available. Your vascular specialist can recommend the best method based on your spider veins' size, location, and severity.
Lifestyle Changes: Sometimes, lifestyle changes like regular exercise and weight management can help manage symptoms and prevent the formation of new spider veins. Talk to your vascular specialist about your next steps if lifestyle changes and self-care measures haven't effectively reduced your spider veins or their symptoms.
The decision to remove spider veins is personal and should be made after speaking with a vascular specialist who can provide guidance based on your situation.
If left untreated, spider veins can progress to more significant and noticeable varicose veins, leading to more severe symptoms and complications. Persistent symptoms like aching or heavy legs, cramping, itching, and other discomforts may affect your quality of life, making activities such as standing or walking for extended periods uncomfortable.
Without treatment, these symptoms may persist or worsen over time. Spider veins do not go away on their own but require removal by a healthcare provider.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) provides minimally invasive treatment options for spider veins. Since spider vein removal is often considered a cosmetic procedure, your insurance may not cover some treatments. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to inquire about spider vein removal and coverage before scheduling any procedures.
Visual sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for spider veins. During this procedure, a vascular specialist injects a sclerosant medicine directly into the veins, causing them to close and be reabsorbed by the body. Unlike ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, visual sclerotherapy does not require imaging equipment and is performed using visual inspection alone.
Visual sclerotherapy is quick, effective, and does not require anesthesia, incisions, or downtime. It allows patients to resume their normal activities immediately. Spider veins typically fade within a few weeks, though complete results can take a few months.
In addition to cosmetic benefits, visual sclerotherapy can relieve symptoms such as burning, aching, night cramps, and swelling.
Foam sclerotherapy utilizes ultrasound imaging, a minimally invasive treatment for spider and small varicose veins. Using ultrasound imaging, a vascular specialist guides a needle into the affected vein and injects a foam sclerosant. The foam sclerosant causes the vein to close, rerouting blood through healthier veins while the body gradually absorbs the treated vein.
Foam sclerotherapy is minimally invasive, fast, and effective. It offers cosmetic benefits and relief from spider vein symptoms such as aches, pains, and fatigue. Patients can typically resume normal activities immediately after the treatment, though avoiding strenuous exercise and sun exposure for a short period is recommended.
Your vascular specialist may recommend wearing compression stockings for a few days after the treatment. Foam sclerotherapy is successful in approximately 80% of cases, providing significant relief from symptoms and cosmetic enhancement.
Treating spider veins goes beyond appearances. It improves blood flow, reduces the risk of chronic venous insufficiency, and maintains healthy circulation throughout your body. Treating spider veins can contribute to long-term cardiovascular health and well-being.
Though often seen as a cosmetic concern, spider veins can physically and psychologically impact those with them. If you are concerned about spider veins, book a consultation online to learn how Center for Vein Restoration can help you. Find a Center for Vein Restoration location near you.
About Vein Disease
Spider Veins
Varicose Veins
Vein Disease Treatments
Treating Spider Veins
Treating Varicose Veins
About Us
Patient Resources
Physician Resources