Blood vessels when enlarged or dilated for various reasons can result in ‘Spider Veins’, also called ‘Broken blood vessels’. They are small, reddish or purple or blue-ish in colour and look like spider web. Spider Veins can form on any part of the body but typically they are commonly seen on face and feet/legs. Spider veins are not harmful but when they come up on face, the person may become more self-conscious and opt for treatment.
What causes spider veins?
Broken blood vessels can be caused due to various factors such as:
- Genetics – The problem of spider veins formation can come through genetics (inheritance).
- Pregnancy – It is very common for pregnant women to develop spider veins due to the increase in estrogen levels. They usually go away on their own after delivery.
- Rosacea – This is a skin condition that causes redness and flushing of skin. Spider veins are commonly seen with people suffering from erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.
- Exposure to sun light can enlarge blood vessels in some people. Sun burn to such people causes the skin to peel off and the enlarged blood vessels can become visible.
- Weather changes, environmental or chemical irritants can cause spider veins on the body.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can enlarge blood vessels and cause spider veins.
- Vomiting or Sneezing – When a person vomits or sneezes, large amount of blood flows into the face. This can cause sudden enlargement and breaking of blood vessels.
Diagnosis of spider veins
If you find spider web like (or reddish lines which look like the roots of a tree), it is better to consult a doctor, specifically a veins specialist in your city for confirmation. He/she may suggest you some medication or advise for other treatments if you think are concerned with your appearance.
Your specialist may also let you know if the underlying cause is rosacea or any other medical condition.
Treatment of spider veins
Some medical treatment options for Spider Veins include:
- Application of Retinoids – topical creams containing retinoids help in reducing the appearance of spider veins.
- Laser therapy – The application of laser beam on the spider veins can rid of them by completely destroying them.
- Intense pulsed light – This is similar to the laser therapy but in this advanced therapy, the pulsed light penetrates into the inner layers of the skin without harming the outer layer.
- Sclerotherapy – This is a little painful process. In this process, saline water is injected into the veins of the affected area effectively closing them. As a result, the blood flowing through these veins will be rerouted through other veins and these spider veins will fade away in a few weeks.
Irrespective of any treatment that you may undergo, please make sure that you consult an experienced veins specialist in your area.
Preventing spider veins on face or feet
- Limit sun exposure – If sun burn is causing the appearance of spider veins, you need to limit your time for sun exposure. Wear sunscreen whenever you have to go out in the sun.
- Avoid extreme heat surroundings – Avoid stepping out in hot weather, spas or saunas. Unless your work mandates you to be in heat surroundings (such as furnaces, blowers etc) try to avoid them as much as you can.
- Drink responsibly – Too much of alcohol is not good for your body, not only wrt causing spider veins. Limiting the amount of alcohol intake can do more good to your body.
- Cover your body when you go out to run/jog/cycle or play sports. Use protective gear as per the sport as injuries can also cause spider veins.
Prevention is better than cure. Try to take enough precautions and avoid spider veins. If the appearance of spider veins on your face start bothering you, please see an expert veins doctor and get the treatment done. Should you need any medical advice on treating spider veins on your face and legs, please call us at +91 7904 016 493 for an appointment.