What are spider veins or telangiectasias?
The medical denomination of telangiectasias, more commonly called spider veins, refers to the dilation of the venous capillaries of the venous tree that exists under the skin, which means that they become visible and transparent through the most superficial layers of the dermis. They are not a health problem but they are an aesthetic problem. They are especially frequent on the lower extremities. They are much more common in women than in men.
Causes for the appearance of spider veins
On the one hand, there is a phenomenon of increased pressure at the level of the superficial venous capillary which causes it to increase in size and therefore a greater external visualization. On the other hand, several factors facilitate a phenomenon of “neovascularization”, the appearance of new vessels just under the skin in the thickness of the different layers that compose it.
What are the reasons that can worsen spider veins?
Specialists in Angiology and Vascular Surgery indicate that perhaps the most related to this increase in superficial capillary vessels are all situations in which there is a clear increase in estrogen in women, although any medical situation will also have a clear hereditary influence; different patients, different consequences.
In addition, any situation that causes a clear increase in pressure in the venous system of the lower limbs will cause this pressure to be transmitted throughout the venous tree to the final capillaries, causing dilation and the appearance of telangiectasias.
These circumstances occur in various specific clinical situations:
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Hormonal alterations or use of hormone treatments
How can they be treated?
Two techniques allow us to do it in a safe and effective way:
- Sclerosis with polidocanol foam: it consists in the canalization of the small vessel with a fine needle and the injection of an alcoholic product in the form of foam that pursues the thrombosis of the venous path. It does not require anesthesia or major interventions and is performed in the doctor’s office.
- Laser, either alone or in combination with sclerosis.
What patient profile is most prone to spider veins?
It is almost always women; obesity has an influence but it is not exclusive, since very thin women can have spider veins. Pregnancy clearly facilitates it and, as we said before, genetic predisposition plays a fundamental role.