Spider veins are a common cosmetic concern, affecting up to 55% of women and 45% of men. While this often-harmless condition usually just affects the outward appearance of your skin, it sometimes indicates an underlying blood flow problem requiring medical attention.
Schedule an evaluation today with our dermatology specialists, led by Vindhya Veerula, MD, at Integrative Dermatology & Laser Spa in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to have spider veins removed and determine if they’re a sign of a health concern.
Spider veins are damaged veins (blood vessels) visible right beneath your skin’s surface. They often appear as purple, red, or blue clusters that often look like tree branches or spider webs.
While spider veins can appear anywhere, they typically show up on your legs or face. Treatment at the Integrative Dermatology & Laser Spa helps eliminate them.
Most of the time, spider veins are harmless and don’t require removal unless you don’t like their appearance. But if you have another blood flow problem associated with spider veins, it’s important to seek treatment to avoid potentially severe complications. Have your dermatologist check out any visible veins to ensure no underlying medical problems exist.
Varicose veins, which are larger versions of spider veins, can become painful. They might cause aching, heaviness, throbbing, burning, itching, discoloration, swelling, or cramping in your lower legs. In rare cases, varicose veins cause complications like ulcers or blood clots.
Sometimes spider veins are an early indicator of a condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a venous disease that can contribute to painful symptoms or serious complications.
Complications linked to untreated CVI can include pain, venous ulcers, and a reduced quality of life. When untreated, CVI increases your risk of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), leg ulcers (open sores), secondary lymphedema (fluid accumulation), and deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein).
Vascular disease screening, which often includes an ultrasound, helps determine if you’re a candidate for CVI treatment like medications, lifestyle changes, noninvasive medical procedures, or surgery.
Spider vein treatment at Integrative Dermatology & Laser Spa often consists of laser treatment or sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy uses an injectable solution to close off the affected veins, allowing your body to eliminate them over time.
It’s also helpful to avoid standing or sitting for long periods, eat nutritious foods, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and wear compression stockings to optimize blood flow.
Your personalized spider vein treatment plan depends on your medical history, diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals. If you have varicose veins, CVI, or any other vascular diseases, you might need additional treatments.
Schedule a spider vein evaluation today with Dr. Veerula and the team at Integrative Dermatology & Laser Spa. Contact us by calling our office at 260-450-1313 or booking an appointment online.
