What You Need to Know about Spider Veins

Updated June 30, 2024

Spider veins are enough to make anyone feel uncomfortable donning shorts or a bathing suit when unattractive dark blue, purple or red lines stretch the length of their thighs. Spider veins are usually harmless, but many people with this aesthetic problem seek out spider vein treatment options to get rid of these twisted veins that look like spider webs.

Who Gets Spider Veins?

This disorder plagues many people worldwide. More than 50% of women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have spider veins. They appear more as people age, especially after age 80. Although less common, spider veins also can affect men. They can develop anywhere on the body but are commonly seen on the face and legs.

When considering spider vein treatment options, you should understand this disorder and what you need to be a healthy candidate.

Understanding Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

Many people confuse varicose veins and spider veins by calling the latter small varicose veins. However, spider veins are not veins but damaged capillaries, venules and arterioles. These are small blood vessels that carry oxygen to various body parts as part of your circulatory system.

Varicose veins are blood vessels with damaged vein valves appearing solely in the lower legs. If left untreated, these damaged leg veins can cause serious health problems, like leg swelling. They are much larger than spider veins and tend to bulge outward from the skin's surface. Many of the same people with spider veins also have varicose veins because they frequently share the same risk factors.

Symptoms of Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

Spider veins often cause no symptoms or signs other than their undesirable cosmetic appearance. However, some individuals may experience problematic symptoms similar to those produced by varicose veins. These can include burning, cramping of the legs, itching, tiredness, heaviness, and tingling. Such symptoms often worsen after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals can also develop brown skin discoloration and skin ulcers.

Complications rarely result from spider veins. However, if you have a cortical visual impairment (CVI), you may have a risk for venous status ulcer or cellulitis. In these cases, ask your doctor about the health of your blood vessels and complications that you should be aware of involving abnormal veins. Spider veins on the face are frequently the result of sun exposure.

What Can I Expect If I Have Spider Veins?

Spider veins rarely cause serious problems or enlarged veins. Treatment options to eliminate them will help you feel better about your appearance. However, you should realize you may need treatment again if new spider veins or other abnormal veins form. If you have CVI, talk to your doctor about what you can expect in the future.

Spider Veins and Your Health

Follow your provider’s advice for lifestyle changes that may improve blood flow. Common tips to prevent new spider veins include:

• Moving around and increasing your physical activity level. Avoid long periods of standing or sitting.
• Eating a heart-healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Elevating your feet at heart level or higher can help improve blood flow to your legs, which can help prevent spider veins or varicose veins from forming while also managing symptoms.

When Should I Get Spider Vein Treatment?

If you have any concerns about your blood vessels, call your doctor and schedule a screening. Call your health professional if spider veins or other blood vessels, including varicose veins, appear swollen, red, warm, or tender to the touch. These can be signs of blood clots. Other causes for concern include:

• Rashes or sores on the skin surface
• Changes in skin color
• Symptoms that interfere with your daily life

Questions to Ask About Treating Spider Veins

Among the questions you can ask are:

• Are my spider veins a sign of an underlying issue?
• How can I prevent developing spider veins?
• What treatments will help me?
• What can I expect before, during and after treatment
• What are the possible side effects or complications?
• Should I make lifestyle changes?

Spider Vein Treatment Options

If you have telangiectatic leg veins or spider veins on the face, you have various treatment options to help rid your body of these unsightly thread veins. However, even before having spider veins treated, you can do things for yourself to avoid symptoms and maintain healthy veins. Most options involve minimally invasive treatment. Consider the following if you want to treat spider veins on your face and telangiectatic leg veins.

•  Exercise: A regular exercise program and weight loss can help relieve the symptoms of small spider veins. Affected individuals should avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods and elevate their legs while sitting.
• Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is a common procedure that is very effective in eliminating most spider veins and some varicose veins. During this procedure, which requires no anesthesia, your doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, which causes it to collapse and eventually fade away. You may need multiple treatments for optimal results.
• Laser therapy: Endovenous laser ablation is relatively painless, with results that are often instantaneous and dramatic. Larger areas of the body, such as the legs, may take several laser treatments to achieve more satisfactory results.

Spider Vein and Varicose Vein Treatment in Seattle

If you want your spider veins diagnosed accurately, contact the medical professionals at VIVAA in Bellevue. We provide various options to treat large varicose veins, spider veins, blood clots and other vascular issues.