Before you hit the anxiety button, I want you to know that spider veins are a common skin condition. You probably have them or know someone who does. Seen those purple, red or blue coloured veins visible through the skin? That’s them! They are called spider veins simply because the veins resemble a spider’s legs. Basically, they are damaged veins that appear on the surface of the skin and aren’t painful. Unlike varicose veins, they are not large in size or have a thick, puffy appearance. They are thin lines and, sometimes, appear in clusters.
Here, take a look. We promise they’re not as scary as they sound. It’s safe for you to proceed.
What Causes Spider Veins?
A bunch of things! Heredity, ageing, standing for long hours, hormonal imbalance, obesity, and trauma are usually some of the common causes. Some researchers believe that pregnancy could also be one of the reasons for spider veins. You see, pregnancy causes crazy hormonal imbalance and creates severe pressure on the blood vessels that can cause the small veins to swell up.
How To Prevent Spider Veins
Adopt a more active lifestyle. That’s it! If you have a desk job, stand up and walk around for a while every few minutes. Sitting in one spot for too long can shift the pressure of your body weight to the veins around your thighs, calves, and ankles. You can also wear compression socks under your clothes. They will help apply pressure to your lower legs, maintain blood flow, and reduce the swelling of the veins.
You should also workout more often. Be it doing yoga or exercise at home, spend at least 30 minutes doing some form of physical activity. This won’t only bring your stress levels down, but also increase blood flow and strengthen the veins in your body.
Treatment For Spider Veins
Although spider veins are harmless, if you do get bothered by them, you can opt for sclerotherapy. It’s basically a treatment where medicine is injected into the veins, causing the spider web to shrink.
Lag laser is another option. This treatment involves directing laser light to the spider veins. The laser light destroys the vein cluster without harming your skin. To find out which option is best for you, loop in your dermatologist.
Featured Image: Pexels
