How to Catch the Start of Spider Veins Early: 3 Signs to Know

Concerned about the start of spider veins? You’re not alone.  Spider veins aren’t medically dangerous, but they are extremely common — present in 88% of…

Concerned about the start of spider veins? You’re not alone.  Spider veins aren’t medically dangerous, but they are extremely common — present in 88% of women and 79% of men, according to one study.

Spider veins are damaged blood vessels that develop on the skin’s surface. They’re most common on the feet, ankles, legs, and face, but you can also develop them elsewhere.  

Women are four times as likely as men to develop spider veins. Most spider veins appear between 30 and 50, but people can develop them at any age.2

Spider veins are very small, usually no more than 1 mm to 3 mm in diameter. They appear under the skin and may not be noticeable unless you look directly at them — but they don’t always feel subtle. For many people, they cause plenty of self-consciousness and worry.

If you’re worried that you may have the start of spider veins, here’s what you need to know.

What Causes Spider Veins to Develop?

No one knows precisely what causes spider veins to develop. However, there are several risk factors that increase your chances of developing spider veins. They include:

  • Age and gender: Older adults and women are more likely to have spider veins. More than four in 10 women over 50 have spider veins in their legs.3
  • Family history: In one study, 90% of patients with spider veins had others in their families with the condition.4
  • Other vein problems: If you have other circulatory issues, such as varicose veins, you may have a higher chance of developing spider veins.
  • Skin conditions: People with conditions such as lupus or scleroderma, which affect skin circulation, may develop spider veins on the face.
  • Obesity: People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop vein problems such as spider or varicose veins.5
  • Pregnancy: Expectant mothers may develop spider veins because pregnancy hormones cause the veins to relax, making those vessels less able to withstand pressure.6 The weight of the fetus increases pressure on the leg veins and can cause vein damage.
  • Prolonged sitting or standing: A more sedentary lifestyle, as well as extended time spent standing without walking, can lead to stress on the veins.
  • Hormonal treatments: Birth control pills or other hormone-based medications can have effects similar to pregnancy, making the veins more vulnerable to damage.
  • Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol dilates your blood vessels. If you drink regularly, that dilation may become permanent.
  • Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause structural damage in surface veins, especially on the nose and cheeks, leading to the appearance of spider veins.7

Each additional risk factor makes you more likely to develop spider veins. However, there’s no guarantee that an absence of risk factors will keep you from developing spider veins. You could also have multiple risk factors and never develop spider veins.

That’s why it’s so important to watch for the start of spider veins, regardless of your risk profile.

Why Is It Important to Catch Spider Veins Early?

The earlier you catch the start of spider veins, the sooner you can treat them. 

Spider veins are rarely dangerous to your health, and most people with spider veins don’t experience any symptoms. Sometimes someone will notice burning or pain in the affected area.

People mainly seek spider vein treatment for aesthetic reasons. Contemporary treatment options effectively reduce the appearance of spider veins. However, if your spider veins are more widespread, you may need multiple treatments and treatment types to eliminate them.

If you catch the start of spider veins immediately, you can seek treatment sooner and possibly save time — and money. (Because spider vein treatments are cosmetic, insurance won’t reimburse you.)

Catching the Start of Spider Veins: 3 Signs to Look For

Spider veins can be difficult to notice when they first develop. They’re more subtle than the larger, bulbous varicose veins and rarely cause physical discomfort. Instead, you’re most likely to notice visual changes, such as:

  • Thread-like discolorations: Purple, blue, or red blood vessels that appear on the skin
  • Vein “tangles”: Networks of veins that look like spiderwebs under the skin
  • Newly visible veins: Vessels that seem to “suddenly appear” on your face, legs, ankles, or elsewhere

Spider veins look new, but the veins themselves were always there. They “appear” as spider veins when they become damaged and unable to maintain their normal structure. 

What Treatment Options Are Available?

There are three common and effective treatment options for spider veins. They are:

  • Sclerotherapy: Injecting the affected vein with a liquid or foam solution that irritates the vein wall, sealing it shut and prompting the body to divert blood through nearby healthy veins
  • Laser therapy: Using targeted laser energy to destroy the damaged veins, while leaving nearby healthy veins untouched
  • Ohmic Thermolysis: Applying heat energy to collapse the affected veins and reroute the blood

Each treatment type is suitable for different types of patients.

Starting the Treatment Process

If you’ve noticed the start of spider veins and you want to do something about it, start by speaking with a vein specialist. Each treatment option is right for different types of patients. A vein specialist can help you understand your options and choose the right one based on your goals.

It’s important to choose a vein specialist with experience in treating spider veins. My Vein Treatment’s specialist locator tool can help you find a qualified professional in your area. Simply enter your ZIP code to view the name and information of specialists near you.

You don’t have to live with spider veins. Find a specialist today and get started.

SOURCES:

1. StatPearls:Spider Veins.”

2. StatPearls:Spider Veins.”

3. Aesthetic Surgery Journal: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Spider Veins.”

4. Aesthetic Surgery Journal: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Spider Veins.”

5. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: Obesity and Impaired Venous Function.”

6. Hypertension: “Vascular Effects of Progesterone.”

7. NewsMedical: “Broken Veins from the Sun.”