Spider veins are incredibly common. Experts estimate that anywhere from 30% to 60% of adults have either spider or varicose veins, and of those, a majority of people with spider veins are women.
The sheer amount of people with spider veins has many people asking, how do I get rid of spider veins? And, more importantly, can they go away on their own?
We’re practicing vein experts in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. In our work, we’ve heard every question in the book about spider and varicose veins.
This is among the most common questions that people have about spider veins. If they’re not hurting and I just leave them alone, is there a chance that my spider veins will just go away? And if not, how can I make them go away with ease?
We’ve previously explored this topic in another blog post about varicose veins, but our advice regarding spider veins is similar: no, your spider veins will not go away by themselves.
However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost for your spider vein issues. In this piece, we’ll explore what spider veins are, what you can do to stop their spread, and of course, how you can make them go away for good.
What are spider veins?
Both spider veins and varicose veins are indicative of some kind of (usually safe) vein damage. In general, a varicose vein can form when vein valves break, causing blood to pool in the vein and the vein itself to become visible through the skin.
The difference between varicose and spider veins is largely cosmetic. While varicose veins are generally bulging veins present on the legs, spider veins can appear not only on the legs, but on the face and other areas of the body as well. In general, these veins are smaller and branch out like a spider web, hence their name.
There are many factors that make one more susceptible to spider veins. As previously discussed, women are more likely to get spider veins than men. Some people are simply predisposed to spider veins. In other cases, behaviors like smoking and failing to exercise can increase one’s likelihood of developing spider veins.
Will my spider veins go away?
Sadly, unless you seek vein treatment, your spider veins will not go away by themselves. In fact, if left untreated, they can actually spread further and get worse over time.
Most of the time, this is nothing to be concerned about. Varicose and spider veins are generally safe, though they can still be a nuisance for those who have them. People with varicose veins report feelings of burning, itching, general unpleasantness and more. Varicose veins can also indirectly lead to other issues like sleep problems.
How do I stop my spider veins from spreading?
Once you have spider veins, the key to stop them from spreading is, in part, counteracting the behavior that may have caused them to appear in the first place.
For example, if you’re concerned about spider vein development, you can try introducing more exercise into your life. Simply add a few more walks into your day or spend some time at the gym to get the blood moving; this will do wonders for your vein health and will make it less likely that your spider veins will spread quickly.
You can also quit negative behaviors like smoking and pick up positive ones, like healthy eating.
That said, there are some cases where spider veins are simply inevitable. To offer another example, many women report spider veins as a result of pregnancy. This is understandable given the extra stress a woman’s body is under when preparing to give birth, but it is listed here simply as an example of another way one can develop spider veins.
How do I get rid of my spider veins?
If you already have spider veins, there is only one way to get rid of them: treatment.
At our offices in Wisconsin, we have people come from all over to resolve their vein issues. We embrace various modern vein treatments to find the best, patient-specific solution for a client’s issues.
Vein treatment has evolved quickly. Today, a patient can visit our offices, get treated, and often return to work or their everyday life on the very same day.
No matter your specific vein needs, we will be there to help. Get in contact today to schedule a consultation.