Spider veins and varicose veins are common, but they’re rarely wanted. They come in various colors, ranging from red to blue. They might look like twisted cords, and in some instances, they bulge. The primary difference between spider veins and varicose veins is the size. Spider veins are a little bit smaller than varicose veins.
While spider veins and varicose veins can both be found on the legs, it is much more common to see the former on the face. Varicose veins can lead to uncomfortable swelling. While both types of veins come with their differences, both of them can, fortunately, be treated.
Spider veins occur a little bit closer to the skin than varicose veins. They commonly branch out like spider webs, hence their name. They come with very short jagged lines that look like they emanate from a center space. While they are most commonly found on the face, they are also seen on the legs.
Both spider and varicose veins occur when the valves in your veins weaken or when something happens to damage the valves. As your heart is doing its job, it’s pumping oxygen-enriched blood throughout your entire body. The blood travels through your arteries. Then, your veins have the job of carrying the blood back to your heart.
The muscles that you have in your legs, for example, help your veins accomplish this job. They exert pressure on your veins, moving the blood back to your heart. This is especially important in the lower part of your body because your blood has to fight against a lot more gravity as it works its way back to the heart. The problem arises when the valves in your veins become weak and allow the pull of gravity to cause the blood to back up into your veins. The blood will eventually collect in your veins. When your veins become backed up with blood, they get larger, which leads to varicose veins or spider veins.
In some instances, spider veins are also caused by changes in hormone levels, overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, or as result of an injury. If you are dealing with spider veins, you are far from alone. Spider veins are a lot more common than you might think. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of women and more than 40 percent of men in the United States alone have either type of vein.
Fortunately, spider veins don’t have to disrupt your life. The experts at Canada Vein Clinics offer a wide variety of effective treatments for both types of veins, such as sclerotherapy and laser therapy, and we will be able to find the best treatment for your situation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with us at any of our locations in Ontario, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick.
