- What are spider veins?
- Prognosis of the disease
- Medical tests for spider veins
- What are the causes of spider veins?
- Can they be prevented?
- Treatments for spider veins
- What specialist treats it?
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are milder or smaller versions of varicose veins, and are smaller, red and blue blood vessels that are visible on the surface of the skin. Their appearance resembles a spider web or tree branches. The patient usually has them on the legs and face, and they are more common in women than in men.
Spider veins are small unsightly branches on the legs.
Prognosis of the disease
Spider veins are usually not very serious. Rather than causing a health problem, they are unsightly, which is why they are usually treated. Symptoms of spider veins Spider veins usually have no symptoms and do not represent a health problem, as mentioned above. However, they can sometimes be itchy.
Medical tests for spider veins
Your doctor will usually do a physical examination for spider veins and check for swelling in the legs. He or she may also perform an ultrasound to see if the valves in the veins are working properly or if there may be a blood clot. This is a non-invasive test that sends images of the veins in your legs to a screen so that the specialist can view and analyze them.
What are the causes of spider veins?
Spider veins occur when the valves in the leg veins weaken, allowing blood to flow backwards. Spider veins appear blue because the blood inside them is deoxygenated. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing spider veins:
- Age
- Pregnancy
- Use of oral contraceptives
- Family history
- Obesity
- Sex: women are more likely to suffer from spider veins
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time.
Can they be prevented?
Spider veins cannot be completely prevented but there are a number of measures that can improve blood circulation and may reduce the likelihood of spider veins developing:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a low-sodium, high-fiber diet.
- Taking breaks when sitting or standing for long periods of time.
- Avoid wearing tight pants and high heels.
Treatments for spider veins
Taking measures to improve blood circulation and leading a healthy lifestyle are the main methods to improve or reduce the amount of spider veins. Treatments or surgery are generally reserved for larger varicose veins that are not aesthetically pleasing or produce painful symptoms. In addition, compression stockings, which tightly squeeze the legs and help the veins and muscles in the legs to flow blood more efficiently, may be recommended. This would be the treatment prior to surgery or more invasive treatments for more severe veins or varicose veins.
What specialist treats it?
Who treats spider veins may be the specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery, in Phlebology and, in some cases, in Aesthetic Medicine.