Spider Veins: Symptoms & Treatment
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small, visible veins that appear on the surface of the skin in red, purple, or bluish colours. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins do not protrude outwardly, but rather look like bursts, lines, or webs just beneath the skin.
Spider veins can be categorised into:
Telangiectasias
Very fine, bright red veinsReticular Veins
Slightly larger purple veins a bit deeper under the skinSpider Veins
Mid-sized veins encompassing features of both telangiectasias and reticular veins
When these types of surface veins appear on the face, they are often referred to as facial veins.
Who is prone to developing spider veins?
While very common, spider veins disproportionately affect women, with about 50% developing them by age 50. Key risk factors include:
Having varicose veins
Family history and genetics
Hormonal changes from pregnancy, birth control, or HRT
Skin damage from sun exposure
Increasing age
What symptoms do spider veins cause?
Spider veins are usually asymptomatic, but some may experience throbbing, burning, itching, or aching in the affected areas. Symptoms can worsen around menstruation for women.
How are spider veins treated?
The most common and effective treatments is sclerotherapy which is an injectable solution that causes the spider veins to scar and collapse, allowing the body to reabsorb them.
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