Spider Veins Specialist

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are small, squiggly veins that appear on your legs and face. They occur when the valves inside your veins stop working, causing your blood to flow backward and pool.

Spider veins are green, blue, or purple. They usually aren’t a sign of a more serious health problem, but they can negatively affect the appearance of your skin.

Who is at risk of developing spider veins?

Spider veins affect people of all ages, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Genetics
• Pregnancy
• Being female
• Advanced age
• Sitting or standing for long periods
• Challenges with weight gain
• Sun damage
  
  

You’re also more likely to develop spider veins if you’ve experienced a blood clot or vein damage in the past.

How are spider veins diagnosed?

The team at The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center diagnoses spider veins by conducting a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. Spider veins are visible to the eye, so there’s no need for additional tests like diagnostic imaging.

How are spider veins treated?

The treatment of spider veins depends on the severity of the issue, your budget, and goals. Your provider might recommend:

Compression stockings

If you only have a few spider veins, your provider might recommend wearing compression stockings. Compression stockings are made from stretchy materials like elastin and nylon. They put pressure on the veins in your legs, improving blood flow. What’s more, they can reduce the risk of blood clots and leg swelling.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves your provider injecting a medical-grade solution into your veins. The solution irritates your veins and prevents blood from flowing through them. Over time, these processes reduce swelling and cause your treated veins to shrink. 

Closure system

Closure system treatment is very similar to sclerotherapy. Your provider injects a medical-grade solution into your veins that causes them to stick together. That cuts off blood flow to your treated veins, causing them to fade and disappear over time.

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)

EVLT is an outpatient procedure that involves your provider inserting a small laser fiber into an affected vein. The laser causes your vein to heat up and collapse, rerouting blood flow to healthier veins throughout your body.

To learn more about the treatment options for spider veins, make an appointment at The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center by calling the office today or scheduling online.