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Spider veins occur when blood pools in the veins closest to the surface of the skin. Although they can be caused by a number of factors, in many cases the exact cause is not known.
What Are the Risk Factors?
You may be at risk for developing spider veins if:
- You have a family history of spider veins. 90% of people with spider veins have a family history of them.
- You are female. Spider veins are generally more likely to occur in women due to hormones.
- You are getting older. The veins weaken over time, so as we age, our risk increases.
- You are overweight. The more weight-bearing your legs do, the greater the risk of developing spider veins.
- You are pregnant. Hormone fluctuation and the extra stress on the veins during pregnancy contribute to the likelihood that one may develop spider veins.
- You sit or stand in one position for many hours each day.
- You have sun damage on your face.
- You have experienced excess pressure in the face due to coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or bearing down during childbirth.
What Treatments Are Available?
There are preventative measures that one can take to try to avoid spider veins, which include regular cardiovascular exercise, the frequent elevation of legs, maintaining a healthy weight, and wearing supportive stockings if you work a job that demands excessive standing. Although they are not usually painful or harmful, most patients treat them for cosmetic reasons.
When you visit Dr. Cutchen at Albuquerque Vein and Laser Institute, you are trusting the care of your spider veins to Albuquerque’s most trusted dedicated vein center! As mentioned above, they are generally cosmetic in nature; however, in some cases, clusters of spider veins, especially around the ankles, may require a deeper look, as it can be symptomatic of disease deep within the venous system.