If you have noticed red, blue or purple lines on your face that seem to branch out in different directions with no particular pattern, you may be seeing spider veins. The condition is common on the face, but it can occur in other places as well. The legs and chest are the two most common areas other than the face.
To gain a better understand of what spider veins are, you can look at the causes of varicose veins. Both conditions fall into the same category, with the difference being the size of the affected veins. Veins that become enlarged can become varicose. When this happens, they can be seen through the skin and may even bulge out from the skin.
Varicose veins are most common in the legs. They develop when the valves in the veins that keep the blood flowing in only one direction fail to function as they should. This allows the gravitational pull to work against the natural pumping action of the heart, putting added pressure against the walls of the veins. The natural response to that pressure is an enlargement of the affected veins. Blood will also begin to pool within the vessels, causing them to become varicose. The legs are the most common place for varicose veins because the blood has a longer distance to travel on its way back to the heart.
Spider veins develop within capillaries, which are small vessels that branch off from larger ones in order to deliver blood to tissue in every part of the body. Since these capillaries are smaller and more numerous, they can look like the legs of a spider or a spider web as they dart out in different directions. Their size makes them look like fine lines under the skin as opposed to larger cords, as is the case with varicose veins.
Due to their impact on appearance, many people with spider veins look for ways to have them removed. Varicose veins are often treated for the same reason, but they can be accompanied by symptoms that result in a lot of discomfort. Spider veins seldom cause symptoms. People usually seek treatment for cosmetic purposes. However, spider veins can impact a person’s quality of life because their appearance can hurt one’s self-esteem.
If you have spider veins and are unhappy with the way they look, you should schedule an appointment at The Vein Center at Cardiology Consultants of Southwest Florida to learn about the available treatment options. Our team of professionals can assess your situation by looking at your medical history and examining the veins. After that, we can have a discussion about what to do next.
We offer a variety of minimally-invasive treatments for spider veins at our office in Fort Myers. Talking to our team is your best source for determining which treatment is right for you. Contact us today to request a consultation.
