Spider Veins

Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal, MHSA, MD, is a board-certified and aesthetic-laser-certified family physician who specializes in vein disease. She has been treating patients in Lima, Celina and the communities surrounding Auglaize County, OH, for more than five years. If you have bothersome spider veins or are suffering from any other vein diseases, Dr. Aggarwal and her staff at the Vein Care Center can help. They offer state-of-the-art treatment options to eradicate visible veins and their symptoms with minimal disruption to your daily life. Contact us to schedule your vein assessment.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins, also known by the medical term telangiectasia, are similar in appearance to varicose veins, except they are smaller and typically form in a visible network. Varicose veins may be red, blue or flesh-colored and often resemble twisted cords that protrude above the surface of the leg. As the name suggests, spider veins may resemble a spider’s web and can be located on the legs as well as the face and other areas of the body. Facial veins might occur on the chin, cheeks or nose, while leg veins may be seen on the upper part of the thigh, behind and below the knee, and around the ankles.

Spider veins are not typically a significant medical concern, but they can become quite unsightly, prompting men and women alike to seek treatment. In some cases though, spider veins are a visible sign of a more serious vein condition deeper within the leg. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have spider veins diagnosed and treated by a vein specialist who will screen for any underlying disorders.

What Are the Symptoms of Spider Veins?

Most spider veins do not cause any symptoms beyond their unattractive appearance. However, some people with these vein networks might experience the following:

A heavy sensation or general pain in the legs
Aching, especially at the end of the day
Burning sensation around the area where the vein forms
Itchy skin where the vein is located
Swelling of the lower leg and ankle

These symptoms are often an indication there is an underlying vein condition that should be addressed, so that spider veins will not return after treatment. At Vein Care Center, we will assess your spider veins to determine the best treatment options for you.

How Do Spider Veins Develop?

These small, visible veins can develop for a variety of reasons, including an injury, excessive sun exposure or hormonal fluctuations. Some medical conditions and medications are also associated with the formation of spider veins. In some cases, the spider veins may appear because of weakened valves inside the vessels that cause a backup of blood.

Abnormal circulation of the reticular or medium-sized veins in the leg can also lead to the formation of telangiectasia. Women are affected by this issue more often than men, and it regularly occurs during or after pregnancy. In fact, both spider and varicose veins can form during those nine months due to an increase in the volume of blood that adds pressure to the vessels and causes the valves inside to become damaged. In some cases, the veins will return to normal within a few weeks after pregnancy. If they don’t, treatment may be needed to repair the damage and restore healthy blood flow.

Risk Factors for Spider Veins

Women and men alike can develop spider veins, with women suffering from the condition slightly more often. In the U.S., approximately 50 percent of people are affected by these visible vein networks. Spider veins may form due to any of the following factors:

The condition is more common in adults age 50 and over since the valves inside the vessels typically weaken over time. However, spider veins can also appear in younger adults as well.

Hormones may impact the development of the visible networks, particularly during pregnancy and menopause. Pregnancy requires a significant increase in blood flow to support the growing baby, which may lead to the enlargement of the veins to keep pace with the extra pressure. Women may see additional spider veins form after each subsequent pregnancy as well.

Medications that contain hormones like progesterone and estrogen, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, may also result in the formation of spider veins.

Obesity can increase your risk for visible vessels, as additional pressure is exerted on the vein walls for a higher likelihood of damage over time.

Inactivity may raise the probability of spider veins as well. People who stand or sit for extended periods throughout the day tend to see the formation of these vessels much more often than people who are active regularly.

Family history may be one of the most common reasons for the formation of visible spider veins. If someone in your family has the condition, the chances are good that you might develop them also.

Excessive sun exposure is a frequent reason why spider veins appear on the face, particularly around the cheeks and nose. Other risk factors for facial veins include heavy alcohol use or skin conditions like rosacea.

Health Risks of Spider Veins

Spider veins rarely pose a significant health risk. However, if the networks are due to an underlying vein condition, future problems could arise if the disorder is left untreated. These issues might include:

Physical discomfort in the legs, particularly at the end of the day
Swelling of the lower extremities
Difficulty participating in some activities due to painful legs
Changes in the skin color and texture
The formation of open sores around the ankles, known as venous ulcers

It is best to have your spider veins assessed at the first sign of physical symptoms. Early diagnosis ensures proper treatment can be administered before more severe complications appear, which are harder to address thoroughly.

Why Spider Veins Form

Spider veins appear in both men and women, with women suffering from the condition slightly more often. In the U.S., approximately 50 percent of people are affected by this vein abnormality. The veins can form due to any number of the following reasons:

Age factors into the development of spider veins as the valves in blood vessels generally weaken over time.

Hormones can influence development, especially during times such as pregnancy and menopause. Pregnancy causes a large increase in blood flow, which results in the veins often becoming enlarged in order to keep pace. Additional spider veins can also form after each pregnancy.

Medications such as birth control pills and those that contain progesterone or estrogen often result in the formation of spider veins.

Obesity can also cause abnormal veins to form, as additional pressure is exerted on the vein walls.

Inactivity affects the development of spider veins too. People who stand or sit for long periods of time often suffer from spider veins far more than people who are active.

Family history is another reason for the formation of abnormal veins. If someone in your family has experienced spider veins, the chances are greater that you might have them too.

Overexposure to the sun can cause spider veins to appear on the face, especially in the areas of the cheeks and nose.

While spider veins alone do not threaten one’s health, their removal is certainly a positive way to feel better about how you look physically.

What Spider Vein Treatments Are Available at the Vein Care Center?

The Vein Care Center offers state-of-the-art care for eradicating spider veins and any uncomfortable symptoms that might accompany them:

The Vein Care Center is the only office in the region to provide different types of corrective treatment for spider veins that are minimally-invasive, and do not interfere with your day-to-day activities. Patients in the Lima, Celina and greater Auglaize County, OH, have entrusted Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal, MHSA, MD, a board-certified and aesthetic-laser-certified physician with expertise in treating venous conditions, with their care for more than five years. Contact the Vein Care Center today at 419-227-4472 to find out how we can help you say goodbye to spider veins and hello to clearer, more beautiful skin.

The Vein Care Center is the only office in region to provide different types of corrective treatment for spider veins, none of which interfere with your normal, day-to-day activities. Patients in the Lima, Celina and the greater Auglaize County, OH, area have entrusted Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal, MHSA, MD, a board-certified and aesthetic-laser-certified family physician with expertise in treating venous conditions, with their care for more than five years. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you.

The information about spider vein treatment page in was reviewed by Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.