Get Those Spiders Off Your Legs

Spider veins are blood vessels which are visible on the surface of the skin, usually on the legs. They can appear blue, purple, or red in color. The shape can resemble a spider, hence the name. They are usually harmless and painless.  However, for some, spider veins can cause symptoms such as throbbing, itching, and swelling. It is not known why some people develop spider veins and others don't. Women are more likely to develop spider veins than men. Genetics, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are also thought to play a role. Although they don't usually cause serious problems, they can be unsightly. If this is a problem for you, there are many options for removing the spider veins and relieving any symptoms.

Home remedies

There are many things you can do yourself to help alleviate spider veins. Sometimes spider veins can result from a lack of circulation in the legs. Support stockings can be used to help improve circulation. Exercising for thirty minutes every day can also help. If you are sitting all day, start getting up and moving every thirty minutes. This simple activity will help improve your circulation and may prevent any new spider veins from forming. However, while this may relieve some symptoms, it will not get rid of spider veins that have already formed. For that, you may need to try a surgical or laser spider vein treatment.

Surgical treatment

The surgical procedure used to treat spider veins is called sclerotherapy. This procedure can be done in a doctor's office, usually a dermatologist, and does not take much time. It also does not require any anesthesia. During the procedure, the doctor injects the vein with a solution which causes the blood to reroute to healthier veins. You will then notice that the treated veins start to fade within a few weeks. Sometimes they do return after a while. If this is the case, you will need to repeat the procedure

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is another treatment option. During this procedure, an intense beam of light is injected into the vein which causes the spider veins to fade over time. This procedure is also quick and can be done in a doctor's office. It also does not require any anesthesia. You will likely need a few treatments, and this procedure is usually not as effective as sclerotherapy. Sometimes doctors will use this treatment in conjunction with sclerotherapy.

For more information, contact a company like The Vein Centre.