What Are the Best Treatments to Eliminate Spider Veins?

Blog Post
By BASS Vein Center
What Are the Best Treatments to Eliminate Spider Veins?
October 19, 2023

Have you noticed some small red, purple or blue lines appearing on your face or lower legs or ankles? These are spider veins. Veins return the blood to the heart for oxygenation. Spider veins develop when the valve that prevents the blood from flowing backward develops a weakness. Because of the weak valve, the blood sometimes pools into small vessels and creates a spider vein or tiny line. BASS Vein Center has some recommendations to help you find the best spider vein treatment for you.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins occur for many reasons, including genetics. If your maternal ancestors have a history of lumpy, bumpy purple veins in their legs, those are varicose veins. In addition to genetics, weight, alcohol, lack of exercise, and poor diet are major contributors. If a woman has spent years standing on her feet as a hairstylist, waitress, stewardess, or production line worker, she is at high risk. Equally dangerous is the administrative assistant, data entry clerk, or seamstress who has spent days on end sitting all day. There are a variety of spider vein treatments that can help you address them early.

What  Actions Should I Take First? 

One of the best spider vein treatments that you should consider is improving your health. Are you overweight, a smoker, drinker, or have a poor diet? There are numerous benefits to a healthy body mass index. It will help your veins, arteries, and your heart. Improve your diet, get some exercise, and drink more water. If you are not drinking enough water, your body might develop swelling. Reducing this swelling will improve your spider veins. Alternating sitting and standing will also decrease your risk of spider veins. Try to change your posture every two hours for 10 minutes. Get some exercise. Start with leisurely walking, and do it every day. Have a friend join you. Accountability helps you stick with your plan and helps your friend, too.

What Else Can I Do for Spider Veins?

If you still feel like you have some swelling, you may want to try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen has proven to help in the treatment of spider vein problems. It reduces some of the swelling and pain. Follow the instructions on the bottle and see if you get adequate relief. 

Elevating your feet in the evenings can also help because it takes some of the pressure off of your legs. Then, the veins can do a better job pushing the blood back up to the heart. If these remedies do not help, you should try compression socks or stockings. You can purchase a generic-sized pair at a medical supply store or you can get a pair sized for you with a physician's prescription. Compression socks have proven helpful for spider vein treatment. 

What If None of These Treatments Has Worked for My Spider Veins?

There is a minimally invasive laser vein treatment, known as endovenous vein ablation or EVLT. A laser beam heats and closes the spider vein. When the vein closes, the blood trapped reroutes to another healthy vein. The procedure takes about one hour, involves very little pain, and has no recovery time. If your problem has become advanced, this may be the best spider vein treatment for you. BASS Vein Center has details available here.

Studies show that 55% of women develop some level of venous disorder in their lifetime. As soon as you recognize a problem, you can begin spider vein treatments and possibly stop the progress. Conservative treatments may be enough, but aggressive therapy early may be necessary to eliminate your risk. Our physicians would like to help you determine the best treatment plan for you. Please contact us at 925-281-5912 or BASS Vein Center.

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