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Ways to Remove or Minimize Spider Veins

Spider veins, caused by an interference with blood flow in small vessels, appear as red or blue lines, usually on the legs. They occur mostly in women aged 30 to 70. Hormonal changes, obesity and genetic factors can cause the veins to appear. Spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins. The Society for Vascular Surgery states that spider veins don't pose a serious health threat, although they can cause pain or itching, and are chiefly a cosmetic concern.

  1. Compression Stockings

    • Patients can wear compression stockings, which resemble Ace bandages, to help with the swelling associated with spider veins. Some people must wear the stockings every day for the rest of their lives. Strengths vary from everyday pantyhose to prescription-strength. The duration of treatment depends on how the body reacts to the stockings. To complement the compression stocking, the Society for Vascular Surgery recommends resting with the feet at heart level for 15 minutes three or four times each day.

    Sclerotherapy

    • Sclerotherapy involves a doctor injecting a chemical that swells the affected veins, ultimately stopping its blood flow and turning it into scar tissue. This treatment ranks as the most common for spider veins, according to the National Women's Health Information Center. Many people need recurrent treatments of this outpatient procedure, usually at four- to six-week intervals. Side effects can include bruises or red skin, spots and thin red blood vessels appearing around the injection site; these usually disappear quickly. Sometimes, lumps of blood are trapped in the vein, which causes swelling. This is not dangerous, and aspirin and applying a heat compress can alleviate it.

    Ablation

    • A doctor inserts a catheter with electrodes on its top inside the spider veins. The electrodes burn the walls of the targeted veins, destroying them. Ultimately, the body reabsorbs and metabolizes the treated tissue.

    Laser Treatments

    • Laser treatment can also eliminate spider fans measuring less than 1/10 of an inch wide. A doctor trains the hot beam of light on the veins for 15 to 20 minutes. Although patients avoid needles this way, the National Women's Health Information Center warns that the treatment can cause some pain. Patients generally need two to five treatments before the veins completely disappear. Temporary side effects can include redness or swelling and discolored skin. Rarely, a botched laser treatment burns a patient's skin.

    Prevention

    • The National Women's Health Information Center recommends that people wear sunscreen, exercise regularly and eat a low-sodium, high-fiber diet. Exercise improves the body's circulation. Fiber helps you avoid constipation, a condition that can increase the risk of spider veins. Salt contributes to swelling. The Center also recommends that women avoid crossing their legs for long periods of time and elevate their legs when resting. These steps can also prevent existing spider veins from worsening.

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