Recognizing Spider and Varicose Veins

Last updated 3 months ago

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men suffer from some type of vein condition—the most common of which include spider veins and varicose veins. Fortunately, your vein doctor can offer a number of treatment options for these conditions. Before you opt for vein treatment, educate yourself about spider and varicose veins with the following article:

What are Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that often look like twisted, bulging cords. These red, blue, or flesh-colored veins are commonly found on the thighs, backs of the calves, and on the inside of the legs.

Spider veins are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often red or blue in color, spider veins tend to look like spider webs or tree branches, due to their short, jagged lines, and are commonly found on the legs and face.

Causes of Varicose and Spider Veins
Both varicose and spider veins are caused by weakened or damaged venous valves that allow the blood to back up and pool within the vein. However, spider veins may also be caused by injury, overexposure to the sun, and hormonal changes.

Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that may increase your risk of developing spider and varicose veins, including:

Increasing age
Family history of vein problems
Pregnancy
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle

Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms associated with varicose veins include throbbing or cramping, heaviness in the legs, swelling, darkening of the skin, an aching pain that gets worse after sitting or standing, and restless leg syndrome.

With several years of experience, the practitioners at California Vein Specialists are devoted to providing patients with the latest, most advanced varicose vein and spider vein treatments. Learn more about your options by contacting our vein specialists at (949) 200-8273.