Spider Veins & Varicose Veins

Spider veins vs normal leg veins diagram

About Spider & Varicose Veins

Understanding Spider And Varicose Veins

What are Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Spider veins or varicose veins may never be a problem. But sometimes they can cause legs to ache or swell. Your legs may also feel heavy and tired. Or they may feel like they’re burning. These symptoms may be more severe at the end of the day. Prolonged sitting or standing can also make your symptoms worse.

Who Gets Spider And Varicose Veins?

Anyone can get spider or varicose veins. But vein problems tend to be hereditary (run in families). Other factors that can affect veins include:

Pregnancy, hormones, and birth control pills
A job where you stand or sit a lot
Extra weight or lack of exercise
Age
Side view of leg showing spider veins

Do you often hide your legs because of the way they look? You may have noticed tiny red or blue bursts (spider veins). Or maybe you have veins that bulge or look twisted (varicose veins). If so, there are treatments that can help.

What Can Be Done For Diseased Veins?

Spider and varicose veins can affect the way you feel about yourself. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. There are treatments that can ease symptoms and make your legs look better.

Spider & Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Treatment may include:

Self-care. Being physically active can help with blood flow in your legs. So, too, can losing weight, if needed, and wearing compression stockings.
Sclerotherapy. During this treatment, a chemical is injected into the veins. It can work for spider veins and some varicose veins.
Radiofrequency vein ablation. This treatment involves using energy produced by radiowaves to seal off diseased veins.
VenaSeal. This procedure uses adhesive applied inside of your veins to seal off and remove varicose veins.
Microphlebectomy. During this procedure, your unhealthy veins are removed through tiny incisions.
Vein stripping. This procedure removed entire diseased veins through only a couple of incisions.
Newer minimally invasive procedures or vascular surgery (in rare cases). These treatments may be needed for large varicose veins.