Varicose and Spider Veins

Varicose and spider veins are similar in nature, with the varicose veins being larger, more prominent in appearance, and often painful. Spider veins generally aren't painful, but being closer to the surface of the skin, they may look less appealing, and can also show up on the face, arms and hands, not just the legs.

While more women than men are prone to varicose and spider veins, there are a number of other factors that put one at risk for varicose or spider veins besides gender. For example, heredity, jobs that require standing for long periods, obesity, hormones, certain birth control pill, some hormone replacement therapies, certain medical conditions, and believe it or not, constrictive clothing.

A history of blood clots can also cause someone to be prone to varicose veins, and this can be a very dangerous, even deadly, medical condition if a clot, which is raised, purple, swollen and tender is mistaken as a varicose vein, which can also be raised, purple, swollen and tender, and left untreated.

Lastly, trauma to the skin or bruising and underlying damage to the skin and excessive sun exposure can exacerbate or possibly even cause varicose or spider veins.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Some patients with varicose veins or spider veins will experience no symptoms except those that are visible on the skin. Deep varicose veins might not even be visible. However, most varicose and spider veins will cause at least some discomfort or leg pain, including: aching, cramping, burning, throbbing, tingling or a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Some women report the symptoms can worsen during their menstrual cycle and pregnancy has been known to both exacerbate and cause varicose and spider veins.

In severe cases, varicose veins and spider veins can cause swelling, ulcers on the skin, darkening of the skin, and changes in skin pigmentation around the vein area.

Thrombophlebitis is a condition that can be caused by severe cases of varicose veins, which causes a painful blood clot and inflammation.

Treatment for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Mild pain caused by varicose veins is usually relieved by elevating the legs and resting. If standing is required, wearing support hose, medical grade stocking or sock that provide support, and wearing comfortable shoes that cushion steps can all help relieve some of the pain and swelling associated with varicose veins. Wearing loose clothing and nothing restrictive can also help with circulation and pain and swelling relief. If pain is moderate to severe, NSAIDS and ibuprofen can be used along with elevation and rest. If over the counter pain medications and modification to lifestyle and clothing is not helping, visiting a doctor is of the utmost importance.

If obesity is an issue, losing weight and maintaining a healthy proportional weight can help alleviate and even eliminate some symptoms or problems associated with varicose veins and spider veins. Walking and stretching exercises of the legs can also help.

For more severe cases of varicose veins, where the above options have failed to work, a more severe medical approach can be considered.

Radio Occlusion is where a small catheter is inserted into the vein to send a radio frequency that causes the vein to collapse.

Sclerotherapy is one medical option that involves using concentrated saline solution injected directly into the vein, which is supposed to cause the vein to gradually disappear over a period of a few weeks. Not terribly expensive, but if you don't like needles, this isn't the way to go, and some say it's painful.

Endovenous Laser is a medical procedure where a small laser fiber is inserted into the vein and the laser should cause the vein to collapse.

Surgical techniques to treat varicose veins include vein ligation and vein stripping. These require the patient to have surgery, so usually a day or two in the hospital at the least, can be very expensive, and very painful with a longer recovery time.

There are a few other options, including surface lasers, phlebectomy, special light therapy and more. If there are problems or complications with varicose veins or spider veins other than purely cosmetic, a qualified physician or medical professional should be consulted to determine the best treatment option. Varicose veins themselves may not be dangerous, but some conditions that cause varicose veins can be life threatening, so whenever pain and tenderness in the leg area is an issue, a doctor should always be consulted before any action is taken.