Spider veins can be indeed itsy-bitsy and very few – or they can be quite visible, turning your legs into a web of purple, blue or red lines. They can appear as thin lines, threads, tiny branches or webs, giving spider veins their name.
While spider veins tend not to be a health issue, they are still technically varicose veins. These develop when the very small valves inside the veins fail. In healthy veins, these valves close between heart beats, to force the oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. In spider and varicose veins, the valves don’t close and so blood pools inside the vein, a condition called venous insufficiency.
In larger, deeper veins, venous insufficiency and varicose veins can be a serious health problem, leading to deep vein thrombosis, stroke, possible amputation and a drastic decline in your quality of life.
Spider veins are usually painless, and they may be flat or just slightly raised above your skin. You may find they occasionally itch or burn.
Women are more at risk for spider veins than men, and if your mom had spider veins, you will likely have them too. If your spider veins appear during pregnancy, they may disappear after you’ve given birth. However, if your veins are appearing as you age, if you stand or sit for long periods of time, and if you’ve gained weight (even if you’ve lost it), spider veins will not resolve without medical treatment.
The Vein Care Institute at Vascular Specialists provides the very best vein treatment in the south and southwest suburbs. With fellowship-trained, board certified vascular and endovascular surgeons leading the way, our medical professionals are experts at treating not only your cosmetic leg veins, but your entire vascular system. Our spa-like clinic is fitted with the finest equipment available.
Vein Care Institute offers onsite ultrasound to thoroughly screen your legs for an accurate diagnosis and eliminate the possibility of more serious health issues.
We offer the latest evidence-based spider and varicose vein treatments including:
During treatment for spider veins, you may feel a tingling sensation. After treatment, you’ll walk out of our offices in compression stockings you’ll need to use for a few weeks.
Thinking now is the time to get rid of spider veins to feel comfortable in a bathing suit and shorts for winter vacations and the coming summer? We’re making it even easier.
You can learn more by clicking here, and then calling 815-824-4406 and mentioning our $100 vein consultation when you make an appointment. Dr. Tanquilut, Dr. Pradhan and all the medical professionals at Vein Care Institute will be delighted to answer all your questions.
