Everything You Need to Know About Spider
Did you notice some red or purple marks on your leg or face that are shaped like a spider web? Everything You Need to Know About Spider veins: If you do then you’ll want to have this condition looked at as soon as possible. They are a vein disease called spider veins.
It is a common condition that affects many adults so you shouldn’t be stressed about it. You may be wondering why they suddenly appeared on your skin for no reason, well it’s because your veins are enlarged abnormally after being damaged.
Although they cannot any harm, many people tend to remove them from their skin for cosmetic reasons since no one would like to see some web-shaped marks on their legs.
However, they may cause pain sometimes which can be annoying that’s why in this article we are going to tell you how can you prevent and treat them so that you can get the right treatment done.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are also known as telangiectasia, which is small blood vessel clusters that appear near the skin’s surface. They’re usually red, blue, or purple, and they have a spider-web appearance. They are most common on the face and legs.
Additionally, if you are suffering from spider veins you must have heard about varicose veins. It’s a similar condition with the same consequences.
However, in varicose veins, the veins become more enlarged and appear only on the legs. They are usually purple or blue with a twisted or bulging appearance. They are harmless but in some cases, they may cause a blood clot and increased blood circulation problems.
They both may look alike but they are both different conditions, so you need to make sure you figure out what you are suffering from, before looking for treatments.
Causes
There can be various reasons for this condition, but the main reason for these marks appearing on your leg is the valves of your veins not working properly.
Blood returns to the heart via veins. They have a one-way valve that closes after the blood has passed through it to prevent blood from going backward.
However, if too much pressure is applied, blood may struggle to flow in the correct direction and if this valve weakens or becomes damaged, it may begin to pool inside the vein. Gradually, this can create a bulge in your vein that branches out as spider veins.
And on the face, they may appear as a result of small veins bursting due to harsh rays of sunlight.
Symptoms
Its often noticed that spider veins don’t show any signs or symptoms other than abnormal vein structures, however, some people may experience problematic symptoms like:
- Itching
- Burning
- Heaviness
- Swelling
- Throbbing
- Cramps
- Aching
- Tingling
- Swelling
- Wounds in ankle
These symptoms are rarely life-threatening, still, wounds and blood clots may worsen the condition and increase the pain.
Who Are At the Risk of Spider Veins?
Spider veins are a common vein disease however, some people might be at more risk than others, due to factors like:
- Obesity: Just like mentioned before, too much pressure can cause your veins to burst and extra body weight puts pressure on your legs.
Being an elder person: You may have noticed that your grandparents have many vessel damage marks on their skin, it’s because when you get older, your valves get weaken over time which increases the risk of diseases like spider veins.
They Can Affect Your Face Too!
Spider veins are normal on legs but did you know they may appear on your face too?
They are as common as spider veins on the face, but they necessarily don’t affect everyone.
They share the same causes as veins on legs, but there are some other reasons too that can make them appear on your face, such as:
1. Sudden Pressure
A sudden sneeze or vomiting with a lot of pressure can cause spider veins on the face.
These type of veins won’t last long sneezes or vomiting doesn’t come back with the same amount of pressure.
2. Harsh Sunlight
Just like your legs, if you don’t protect your face from UV rays then nothing can protect you from developing spider veins.
The harsh sunlight will break your veins and vessels, that’s why always wear sunscreen on sunny days!
3. Rosacea
Due to swollen veins, this is a frequent disorder that causes the skin to become flushed and red.
Rosacea patients frequently have spider veins.
Available Treatments!
Laser Treatment
In this therapy, laser is used on the visible spider veins to remove them.
After therapy, little spider veins may disappear completely. Larger spider veins and varicose veins will deepen and remain visible for 1 to 3 months before disappearing. You may require three or more sessions to achieve complete clearance.
The majority of patients can return to work the next day and resume many of their routine activities.
After each treatment, some patients are need to wear compression stockings for a short period of time.
Endovenous laser ablation
Endovenous laser ablation is a method that involves inserting a tiny laser fibre into a vein. A little catheter will be inserted through a tiny cut near the vein by your doctor.
The inside of the vessel is heated by a device at the catheter’s tip. Inside the vein, pulses of laser light are supplied, causing the vein to collapse.
When To Look For Doctor For Spider Veins?
Spider veins is a cosmetic problem which means it’s not really serious, so it depends on you if you need to treat it or not. Sometimes they go away on your own and sometimes they don’t, if the following things are happening with you then you should visit your doctor for spider veins soon:
- It’s Been A Long Time And Spider Veins Haven’t Gone Away
If it’s been months since you have developed spider veins but do not care about them and don’t think you need treatment then you should start thinking about visiting your doctor. Because sometimes when spider veins don’t go away for a long time, they may be indicating to an underlying condition which may annoy you later. Not to mention, sometimes spider veins may even turn into varicose veins too, which is the serious version of this problem, so it’s better to check your doctor soon.
- You Don’t Like The Appearance Of Your Legs
Spider veins is a cosmetic problem, many people ignore it because they don’t mind it but some people may not like it, which is not wrong at all. You are allowed to think good about your let’s appearance, so if you don’t like the way they look then it’s time you look for a doctor.
- Spider Veins Are Causing Pain
Spider veins usually don’t cause pain, as they are harmless and a cosmetic problem only but sometimes they may start causing pain too. When this happens you may experience sudden sharp pain in your leg which can cause problems in daily activities like walking. Pain could also mean your spider veins are evolving into varicose veins which is a serious problem. Varicose veins less to many problems like vein burst and blood clot so if you experience pain then go to visit your doctor.
Can spider veins be a symptom of an underlying medical condition?
Yes, in some cases, spider veins can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. While spider veins themselves are generally harmless and often a cosmetic concern, they can sometimes indicate an underlying issue with the veins or circulatory system.
Conditions that may be associated with spider veins include chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when the valves in the veins do not function properly, leading to blood pooling in the veins. Spider veins can also be a symptom of deeper vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein, although this is less common.
Other conditions that may be associated with spider veins include hormonal imbalances, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, and conditions that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as obesity or constipation.
Can spider veins be a sign of an immune system disorder?
Spider veins are typically not a sign of an immune system disorder. Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin that can appear red, blue, or purple. They are usually harmless and are often a cosmetic concern rather than a medical one.
Immune system disorders, on the other hand, are conditions in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation and other symptoms. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis are examples of immune system disorders, but they are not typically associated with the development of spider veins.
Can spider veins be a side effect of certain medications?
Yes, spider veins can be a side effect of certain medications. Medications that may increase the risk of developing spider veins include hormone therapy (such as estrogen or progesterone), birth control pills, and corticosteroids. These medications can affect blood vessel function and increase the likelihood of developing spider veins.