One of the most common reasons patients visit a skin surgeon is for varicose and spider veins. While they rarely pose a health risk, they're often unwanted, and there are a few simple ways to get rid of them. Here's what you need to know about this condition.

Questions About Spider Veins Answered

What are spider veins?

They’re small veins that show along the surface of the skin. They have a wandering or "spidery" appearance, and they can be red, purple, or blue. Where varicose veins are noticeably raised from the skin, spider versions are flatter and thinner.

What causes spider veins?

Veins have small valves inside to help pump blood back to the heart. When the valves are weak or injured, the pressure in that blood vessel increases and it presses around the surrounding tissue. When the blood vessel is close to the skin, there's less resistance in that direction than there is on all other sides, so the vein gradually works its way to the surface. This is most common in the legs, since the blood is being pushed uphill to get back to the heart and offers more resistance.

How are they treated?

There are several options for treating spider veins. Compression clothing is recommended to minimize the appearance of additional veins, as it puts pressure on them to keep them from surfacing. Laser treatment can dry up the vein so it vanishes, while sclerotherapy closes it off temporarily, and over the course of several treatments, will minimize its appearance. Surgical options are available for more serious varicose veins.

Can I prevent them?

Some risk factors like age and genetics are out of your hands. However, they're more common in overweight individuals or those with high blood pressure, so maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen helps. Sunscreen minimizes sun damage, which can spark these veins to appear, and you can wear compression stockings or elevate your legs to reduce the risk of developing spider veins.

If you need spider vein treatment in the Hartford, CT, area, choose Lauren A. Daman, MD, PC. Dr. Daman and her team offer laser treatment and sclerotherapy for this condition, along with a range of other medical and cosmetic skin care options such as Botox®. Call (860) 246-3533 to schedule an appointment or see a list of their services online.