When enlarged blood vessels appear near the surface of the skin, the area appears blotchy, sometimes dark red, purple or blue. In some cases, a vein that was ruptured in an injury doesn’t fully reconstruct, and this results in a dark patch. On the other hand, spider veins and varicose veins aren’t the result of injury but rather changes in a person’s hormonal balance, weight or other factors. Heredity often plays a role as well. If you’re wondering, “What are spider veins?” we can give you more information and help you learn more about your treatment options.
Spider veins can be treated in several ways. We offer complete consultation services for those seeking a way to rid themselves of these unwanted veins. Spider veins can be treated safely without possibility of damage to the skin itself.
What Are Spider Veins?
So, exactly what are spider veins? These characteristic veins are so-called because they appear as small, dark lines running from a central point. This type of condition is very rare in arteries. Veins have lower blood pressure than arteries, and the vein walls are constructed with a different tissue composition than arteries. When veins are near the skin, they branch out very quickly so that thousands of tiny capillaries can carry waste products from every skin cell.
Sometimes these branches become enlarged. The split can widen, and blood is forced into tiny branch veins that become much wider than normal. This becomes highly visible and can cause embarrassment and a loss of self-confidence.
Spider veins are more common in women than in men. It is thought that hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause these veins to develop. Rapid weight gain or loss is another culprit. If the legs are sedentary for long periods of time, such as when a person sits in a chair at work all day long, spider veins are more likely to develop. It’s important to remember that spider veins are not a serious medical condition, but rather an annoyance. They can be treated using techniques such as laser ablation or sclerotherapy.
Treating Spider Veins
Laser ablation is one way to diminish the appearance of spider veins. The laser beam cauterizes the tiny branch veins, and they eventually close off, with the vein wall tissue eventually being flushed from the body along with other waste.
Sclerotherapy is a more common treatment for spider veins, and it is one that we highly recommend. A solution is injected into the vein that irritates the vein walls. They constrict and eventually block the flow of blood. This doesn’t mean that the surrounding tissues can’t send waste material to the bloodstream, however. The process is rather slow and gives the body time to send blood through other, sometimes newly developed capillaries, to the surrounding tissues. After a month or two, the discoloration and blotchiness fade from view.
Get Rid of Spider Veins Now
Now that you’ve answered the question “What are spider veins?” we can help you get rid of yours at Cardiology Consultants of Southwest Florida. Treatment is simple, and the results are permanent. Contact our office in Fort Myers to learn more and to schedule your consultation.
