The Problem With Spider Veins...
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Spider veins and reticular veins are small, web-like, blood vessels that are easily visible on the surface of your skin. They can be red, blue, or purple and are commonly associated with varicose veins. Spider veins range in diameter from 0.1 to 1 mm. Reticular veins are dilated bluish sub-dermal veins measuring between 1 and 3 mm in diameter. When veins are more than 3mm in diameter, they are referred to as varicose veins. Varicose veins, although still visible through the skin, are usually larger, raised blood vessels that are swollen.
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Spider Veins
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Reticular Veins
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Although spider and reticular veins are considered a cosmetic problem, they are often a result of underlying venous reflux in the larger veins. When reflux develops in the larger veins and results in the veins becoming bigger, the pressure is often transmitted to the nearby smaller veins under the skin and these manifest as spider veins and reticular veins. Therefore it is imperative that while seeing a patient with spider veins, the clinician also rules out underlying reflux in the larger veins which may be the cause of the problem.
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What are the Risk Factors?
There are many factors that can increase your chances of developing spider veins:
- Genetics: The majority of people who have spider veins, have family with them too.
- Age: People who are older (Age 40+) tend to have a higher chance of developing spider veins as valves in the veins get weaker over time.
- Gender: Spider veins are more prevalent among women than men.
- Prolonged Standing: Veins have to work harder to pump blood back to the heart during extended times of inactivity.
- Obesity or Excessive Weight: Extra weight can add pressure to the veins in the legs, making them less efficient.
- Multiple Pregnancies: The extra weight of a child, with the increased blood flow associated with carrying a baby, leads to veins having to work harder than normal.
- Smoking: Essentially narrows veins over time and thus puts added pressure on them.
- Heavy Lifting: Lifting weights puts added strain on your veins.
Is This a Cosmetic Issue?
Although Spider Veins are considered a cosmetic problem, and frequently treated in dermatology and other clinics by sclerotherapy, they can be a result of underlying Venous Reflux. Venous Reflux is NOT a cosmetic issue as is commonly believed. If left untreated, they can progress over time to more serious problems such as:
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Vein Disease May Get Worse
Venous reflux is a medical condition which progresses over time into a more serious medical condition called Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). The increased pressure inside the veins, secondary to pooling of the blood in the legs, leads to varicose veins. Check out the image below to see the progression.
1 Normal | 2 Spider Veins | 3 Varicose Veins | 4 Edema | 5 Venous Ulceration