What Causes Spider Veins

If you have spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, you may experience small blue or purple patches of blood vessels in the skin in your legs and feet. Spider veins have this name because of their telltale spider web appearance. Those usually no reason for alarm, spider veins can cause pain, swelling, and itching, and in those cases, you should get help.

At Vascular Vein Centers, we are proud to offer spider vein treatment at our centers throughout Florida. If you need more information on spider veins and what causes them, here’s some information and how our team can help.

Causes of spider veins

Many factors can lead to spider veins, and in some cases, they are preventable. Learn about some of the most common causes for spider veins below.

Obesity

Extra weight leads to extra pressure on your legs, which can then cause spider veins. This means if you suffer from obesity and don’t have spider veins at the moment, losing some weight may prevent them from developing. However, if you already have spider veins, it’s important to know they generally don’t go away on their own.

Hormones

Unfortunately, hormones can cause spider veins. Not everyone develops spider veins because of hormones, but it is good to keep in mind that this can be a cause. Some of the hormonal changes that can lead to spider veins include:

• Going through puberty
• Going through pregnancy
• Taking birth control
• Going through menopause

Generally speaking, women are more likely to suffer from spider veins than men, and this likelihood increases with age. 

Excess standing

In general, standing is good for you, but prolonged standing puts pressure on your legs and may cause spider veins. If your job requires you to stand all day, try taking some sitting breaks or request a chair to rest on once in a while. The same principle counts the other way around; if you sit all day long, ensure your blood can flow properly by taking breaks and moving regularly. 

Genetics

A family history of spider veins means you may be predisposed to developing them, too. Though you can’t entirely avoid this, you can still follow some of the aforementioned tips such as keeping a healthy weight and avoiding sitting or standing for too long as a preventive measure. 

Clothing

You may want to switch up your wardrobe if you often wear tight clothes and high heels. These types of clothing and shoes can be bad for blood circulation and cause issues with your vein health. To help with blood flow, try wearing loose clothes and avoid wearing high heels regularly. 

Treatment

If you visit one of our centers in Florida, we will examine your spider veins during your first consultation. Although spider veins don’t go away on their own once you have them, the earlier you take action, the better. Taking quick action also reduces the chances of getting additional spider veins in the future. 

At Vascular Vein Centers, we offer a wide range of treatments for your spider veins, including Varithena® foam sclerotherapy, VenaSeal™ medical adhesive, and endovenous laser therapy (EVLT). Our team can help you determine which treatment is best for you. 

To get an assessment and receive further treatment for your spider veins, book an appointment at Vascular Vein Centers in Florida using our convenient online booking system. With multiple locations and online booking, banishing your spider veins has never been easier.