When veins in the legs become twisted, spider and varicose veins result. Varicose veins are swollen, raised, large, purplish-blue blood vessels, while their spider counterparts are smaller, visible under the skin, and purple, red, or blue. If you have noticed several spider veins and are wondering about treatment options, get started here. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Vein Treatments

What causes these veins? 

There are numerous reasons why these veins develop, including heredity, hormonal fluctuations from puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, a history of blood clots, obesity, and birth control usage. Other risk factors include hormonal therapy and excessive sitting or standing. The latter issues typically occur for occupational reasons, such as jobs that require standing all day at a cash register or doing work on a computer. 

All of these issues can cause blood vessels in the legs to weaken, which allows blood to collect and form both spider and varicose veins. 

Is sclerotherapy the main treatment option? 

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a special detergent or concentrated saline solution into the affected vein, causing agitation and scarring that forces the vein to collapse within three to six weeks. It is a popular spider vein treatment, as is endovenous laser ablation, where small laser fibers and tiny catheters are placed in the affected veins via incisions. The catheters are heated at their tips through small devices, which cause the lasers to deliver light pulses that make the veins collapse. Other treatment options include surgery where the affected veins are either removed or tied off.  

Are there treatment risks? 

Any surgery comes with infection risks, though site bruising and nerve irritation from vein surgical procedures are more common. Ablation therapy has a low infection risk and can also cause heat damage to the blood vessels. However, such issues are rare. Sclerotherapy can cause mild muscle cramping and requires wearing compression stockings for a few weeks. A vein specialist will determine the best treatment in light of your symptoms, allowing you to enjoy blemish-free skin once again. 

What can I do to prevent more of these veins from forming? 

Wearing compression stockings keeps blood from accumulating in veins, as does elevating your legs on pillows or furniture whenever possible. 

It’s also a good idea to take periodic breaks from lengthy sitting and standing sessions, and to wear well-cushioned shoes that reduce blood vessel stress and swelling. Regular exercise helps as well, because it supports optimal blood flow throughout your body. 

Discuss the best treatment for your spider veins at Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan, a specialty center serving all of New York City since 2010. Dr. Ronald Lev is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and provides a full suite of vein treatment options. Call (888) 356-VEIN (8346) today to make an appointment or learn more about this treatment center online. See the latest before and after photos on Facebook.