Table Of Contents
You’re looking in the mirror when you suddenly notice something on your leg — spider veins. Maybe you’ve seen them there before, but now they appear bigger, almost as if they are extending across your leg. Could it be that your spider veins have gotten worse?
We’re vein specialists in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and in our practice, we hear this concern all the time. People often make appointments to figure out whether their spider veins are growing, if their spider veins are spreading across the leg, or if their spider veins are growing in size. Here, we’re going to lay out how you determine if your spider veins are growing — and if they are, what you can do about it.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins can be understood as a smaller version of varicose veins. They’re called “spider veins” owing to the red or blue web-like pattern they can create on the skin.
Typically, spider veins are found on the legs and near the feet, though they can appear on the face.
Numerous things may cause spider veins, including age, pregnancy, genetics, inactivity, and more. While there are some ways to decrease your likelihood of having spider veins, such as improving your diet, quitting smoking, and increasing exercise, once you have them they will not go away on their own.
Are My Spider Veins Growing?
This question has two meanings. First, are my veins themselves becoming bigger? And second, are my spider veins moving across my leg? Here, we’ll answer both.
First, are your veins becoming bigger? There is a possibility that spider veins can turn into varicose veins, the difference in this case being that varicose veins will appear wider and potentially jut out from the skin.
However, this is uncommon. What is most likely happening is that you are simply seeing more of the damaged vein through the skin. This can still be a cosmetic and potentially painful issue, but it does not mean that the vein itself is growing.
The second question has a similar answer. If you think you’re seeing more of a spider vein in one area, it’s more likely that it’s the same damaged vein becoming more visible.
Nonetheless, if you start to notice more spider veins around the same area, it is possible that you could have multiple damaged veins.
Are Spider Veins Bad?
If your spider veins are not causing you pain, they are most likely simply a cosmetic issue. If you want to seek treatment for them, we can assist with plenty of options — but if they are not causing you physical or emotional discomfort, you’re fine to simply leave them be.
Naturally, there are some non-pain related instances where spider veins can become an issue. For example, if you find that you are having cramps in your legs at night, that could be a sign of a deeper issue. Get in contact with a vein specialist like our Wisconsin-based practice, and they should be able to talk you through the issues that are causing your sleep cramps as well as their potential solutions.
Another sign that your spider veins might be becoming something more serious is the formation of blood clots or skin ulcers. If you find or suspect either of these forming, simply contact a vein professional. If these issues are caught early, they can often be resolved swiftly.
How Do I Get Rid of my Spider Veins?
The only way to get rid of spider veins for good is through treatment. Vein treatment is quick, easy, and low in pain. In fact, most of our patients are able to return to work on the same day as their procedure!
If you’re interested in solving your spider vein problem for good, get in contact via our contact page! We will be more than happy to help you say goodbye to those pesky veins forever.