Spider veins are thin bluish-red superficial veins that mostly appear on the feet, legs, and the face. Spider veins form when the veins on the surface of the skin enlarge due to the pooling of blood inside them.
Obesity, excessive pressure, and damaged veins are the major cause of spider veins on the lower body. On the other hand, factors like heat exposure, injuries, and alcohol consumption contribute to the development of spider veins on the face.
Although spider veins are not very discomforting, they are considered a cosmetic problem. In addition to this, they may cause a little soreness and pain and in severe cases, may lead to complications as well. For this reason, people want to prevent the occurrence of spider veins and if they already have them, they want to get permanent riddance as soon as possible.
So without any further delay, let us quickly tell you about the treatment options and the preventive measures for spider veins.
Table of Contents
Preventing spider veins on the legs and feet
Keep your body weight in check
Obesity is one of the major risk factors of spider veins. Therefore, if you are obese, try to exercise regularly and shed those extra kilos. This would help reduce the pressure on your lower body and ensure good vein health.
Avoid excessive pressure on the lower body
Refrain from indulging in heavy weight lifting and other strenuous exercises that may excessively strain your lower body. Vigorous exercises can hinder the veins from functioning properly and thus lead to blood pooling inside them.
Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
Drink a lot of water and other fluids throughout the day and stay hydrated. Enough water and fluids will prevent the blood from thickening and thus ensure proper blood flow through the veins.
Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings are a great way to prevent spider and varicose veins in the legs. Compression stockings minimize the pressure on your legs and thus make sure that the veins in the legs are not excessively pressurized while you carry on with your daily life tasks
Keep your legs elevated
While sitting, do not sit cross-legged. Also, try to keep your legs elevated. This would enhance the circulation of blood in the legs and prevent pooling of the blood. You can use cushions or folded towels for elevating your legs.
Preventing spider veins on the face
Avoid sun exposure for prolonged periods of time
Extreme heat and sun exposure are one of the major causes of spider veins on the face. Sun exposure can lead to the enlargement of veins and make them visible. Thus, avoid sun exposure for long hours, especially during the peak hours of the day.
Wear sunscreen
If you require to stay out during the day, make sure to use sunscreen so as to protect your skin and your veins from any damage due to the extreme heat.
Wear protective gear
During sports, cycling, or any other activities that have a risk of injury associated with them, make sure to wear helmets and other face-protective gear. These would help prevent spider veins due to injuries.
You must note- There is no sure-shot way of preventing spider veins as a person with a family history of spider veins is anyhow more prone to the problem. Finding out the actual cause of spider veins requires proper diagnosis.
It is only after the diagnosis and the assessment of the severity, the doctor recommends the best-suited treatment.
Here are all the treatment options prevailing for spider veins:
Home Treatment / Natural Treatment for spider veins
- Apple Cider Vinegar– It is a very effective home remedy for spider veins. Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid that greatly enhances the flow of blood when you directly apply it on the affected skin. But there is a possibility that apple cider vinegar can result in itching and irritation. Thus, you should first try it on a patch of your skin for 20 minutes. If you notice no worrisome symptoms, then go ahead with the remedy.
- Horse Chestnut Extract- Preparations made from the bark of horse chestnut can be beneficial in the treatment of spider veins and a number of other skin related problems. The topical use of horse chestnut can bring about significant improvement in the condition of spider veins.
- Aloe Vera- The natural cooling and skin healing properties of the aloe vera play a crucial role in getting relief from the burning sensation of spider veins. It also nourishes the skin and does not let it become prone to inflammation.
- Tea tree oil– It is the most widely used home remedy to get rid of spider veins. The anti-microbial and-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil speed up the healing of spider veins. Though it is better to not directly apply the concentrated form of tea tree oil, you can mix it with coconut oil and massage on the spider veins that affect part of your face or the feet.
Medications for spider veins on the face
For spider veins on the face, you can try using some topical creams, especially the ones with retinoids. Topical retinoids contain Vitamin A and are used in the treatment of numerous skin ailments. Retinoids work by building a layer of collagen in the dermis and removing the outermost layer of the skin. In this manner, they help to reduce the appearance of the spider veins on the face. However, you should know that this is not a permanent treatment and the spider veins can appear again.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used for the treatment of spider veins on both the feet as well as the face. In sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a salt solution into the damaged veins and capillaries. This salt solution causes the damaged vein to collapse and it eventually scars away. You may require to undergo sclerotherapy multiple times to get proper results.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment for spider veins is a technically advanced procedure that is being widely used for the permanent treatment of spider veins on the face and the feet. In laser treatment, the surgeon uses pulses of laser energy to shut off the broken and damaged veins. This reroutes the flow of blood through healthier veins. In the absence of blood flow, the damaged veins collapse and fade away over time.
Laser treatment is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve any cuts or incisions and thus does not leave behind any scars. The treatment is absolutely painless and complication-free. It is performed on an outpatient basis which means you don’t need to stay in the hospital. The recovery is very fast and smooth. Thus, through the laser treatment, you can get rid of the discomforts of spider veins and restore the aesthetics of your face and feet without any hassles.
Take Away
We are sure that you must have understood, spider veins are not just cosmetic issues. Once the spider veins surface, (mostly on the face or feet) make sure that you treat them in the initial stage only. The sooner you attend spider veins, the faster they diminish.
If you are currently dealing with spider veins, you should reach out to us at Pristyn Care for the painless treatment. Our doctors make the best use of modern techniques to provide a comfortable treatment experience.
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