SPIDER VEINS

Spider veins are dilated small blood vessels that have a red or bluish color. They appear mostly on the legs, occasionally on the face or elsewhere, and may often be unwanted.

They can be short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair or connected in a scraggly, "sunburst" pattern. They may also look like a spider web or a tree with branches. Sometimes, they occur in a small area and aren't very noticeable, or they can cover a large area of skin and be quite unattractive.

Larger dilated blood vessels called varicose veins may be raised above the skin surface. They may occur along with spider veins.

Some people with unwanted blood vessels can have pain, ranging from a dull throbbing pain to a burning sensation, The larger vessels are more likely to cause discomfort.

Although unwanted blood vessels carry blood, the great majority of them, especially spider veins, are not necessary. If they are unsightly or uncomfortable, they can be treated by injection of a solution that will cause them to disappear or become much smaller. There is about a 50 to 90 percent chance for a greatly improved appearance.

What Causes These Blood Vessels to Become Visible?

The cause of spider veins is not known. In many cases they seem to run in families. Identical twins can be affected in the same area of the body and to the same extent. The condition can very occasionally occur as part of an internal disease.

Spider veins appear in both men and women, but more frequently in women. The hormones estrogen and progesterone may play a role in their development. Puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy often seem to bring them out. They may also appear after injury or as a result of wearing tight girdles or hosiery held up with tight bands.

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