Are you discouraged about the way your face or legs look and feel because unsightly spider veins? Maybe you are like many of our patients who are embarrassed to wear shorts or swimwear. Or apply concealers to try and mask you facial or legs veins. The good news is that it does not have to be that way. If you don’t want to live with unsightly red or purple veins it is time to book a consultation with our vein specialists who have treated thousands of patients just like you. We can help you get rid of spider veins so that you can enjoy life again with ‘Better Looking and Better Feeling Legs.’
Spider veins and varicose veins are easily confused. While they may both cause you to feel embarrassed, varicose veins are considered more dangerous. Spider veins are usually seen as little more than a nuisance while varicose veins signal a deeper venous insufficiency problem. However, many of our patients report a significant improvement in the way their legs feel after their spider veins are treated.
The difference between spider veins and varicose veins is the size of the vein. Spider veins are by definition less than 1mm in size. Reticular varicose veins are 1-3mm in size and often feed the spider veins. Though visible to the naked eye reticular veins are often overlooked by doctors who are in-experienced in the treatment of vein disease. Varicose veins are larger visible bulging veins which are 3mm or greater in size. Varicose veins can be found nearly anywhere on the legs depending on the underlying source of the vein reflux.
Though worse in varicose veins the symptoms of both are vague and can be overlooked or confused with other conditions by patients and their physicians. Generally varicose veins cause more symptoms than spider veins. These symptoms include heaviness, aching, tired legs, swelling, night cramps, and restless legs. If left untreated varicose veins can lead to skin changes and skin ulcers can develop.
Varicose and spider veins can appear at any age or stage of life. They are more common in women and often first appear with pregnancy with their familiar rope-like, twisting pattern. Varicose veins develop during pregnancy due to a number of factors. However, pregnancy-related varicose veins may improve on their own after childbirth and may not require treatment. However, if symptoms or unsightly spider or varicose veins persist 3 months after childbirth you should see your vein specialist for a consultation. They will help you get rid of spider veins and varicose veins.
