Spider veins are small veins that appear close to the skin’s surface. They are often blue, purple, or red in appearance. They typically appear in three common shapes—branch-like, linear, or, more traditionally, in the form of a spider with a dark point in the center. Spider veins typically show up most often on the thighs or ankles, but they are known to appear anywhere on the leg. They can even appear on the face in some cases.
According to experts, 70% of all women will end up with some type of venous insufficiency. That can include spider veins and varicose veins. While they can show up on men as well, spider veins are most common with females, and they are twice as likely to end up with it. Now that you know what they are, you might be wondering what causes spider veins. This vein condition occurs whenever the valves in veins become weak or damaged. When the valves in the veins malfunction, blood pools inside the small veins located at the surface of the skin, leading to the occurrence of spider veins.
Below is a list of the 5 most common causes of venous insufficiency leading to the appearance of spider veins.
1: Prolonged Sitting Or Standing
When you sit or stand for long periods of time, it can create high blood pressure in the legs. If you work in a job that requires you to be standing on your feet or sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time, it’s important to take breaks and move around to encourage better circulation.
2: Obesity
Excessive weight puts additional stress on your circulatory systems, which directly impacts vein health. Carrying around extra weight over time can cause the vein valves to fail. Severe obesity can lead to venous ulcers in the legs which leave you at risk for infection.
3: Physical Inactivity
Living a sedentary lifestyle is also a contributing factor to spider veins. Fortunately, risks for developing venous insufficiency can be mitigated and managed through some basic, simple lifestyle changes. Even light, low impact exercise, done regularly—like walking, swimming, stretching, and cycling—can help.
4: Genetics
Studies show that up to 90 percent of people with spider veins have a family history of them. If you have blood relatives that have venous insufficiency, you will likely experience them at some point as well. However, there are actions you can take ahead of time to prevent spider veins from developing in the first place. Living an active lifestyle and eating a heart healthy diet are both great ways to aid in prevention.
5: Pregnancy
Hormonal shifts can certainly play a role in the development of spider veins. When a person is pregnant there is increased blood moving through the body to support the growing fetus. Also, the additional weight gain that is brought on in pregnancy can place greater amounts of pressure on leg veins.
As we discussed, spider veins are usually caused by weak or damaged valves. You can mitigate your risk of developing them with lifestyle changes and some basic self care practices. If you are eating a healthy, nutritious diet and getting plenty of exercise, yet still experiencing pain and discomfort from your spider veins, talk to your doctor. There are treatments for spider veins that can help reduce their appearance and keep them from getting worse.
Are you interested in learning more about treatments for spider veins in your area? Then it is time to get in touch with the experts at BASS Vein Center for assistance. Our team offers a wide variety of treatment options for spider veins and varicose veins that are minimally invasive and performed on site. Spider veins can be a thing of the past. Give us a call today to set up an appointment and learn more about the services we have available.
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