How to Prevent and Treat Spider Veins

Are your legs covered in distended, discolored lines, like squiggles on the surface of your skin? If they bulge outward, they might be varicose veins, but if they’re simply blue-black lines running down your calves or around your knees, they’re most likely spider veins. Either way, these are unsightly, at the very least, and can sometimes cause severe pain and/or health problems.

Causes

After your arteries carry blood to your extremities, veins pump the blood back into your organs. Depending on your age, gender and overall health, sometimes this “return system” can weaken, resulting in discolored lines appearing on your skin where they shouldn’t.

Prevention

Spider veins tend to run in the family, so if your mother or grandmother has them, it’s a good idea to start prevention tactics early. Exercise regularly to keep your legs toned and firm. Elevate your feet after a long day to help return the blood flow to normal. Wear support hose if you notice any pain or discomfort in your legs, because that’s one of the first warning signs of weak veins.

Treatments

Depending on the severity of the vein disease, a vein specialist may be needed for very specialized surgeries. However, most spider veins can be treated using Sclerotherapy in our office.