Spider veins are small, thin, red, or purple and typically appear on the legs and forehead. They can look like tiny dots, specks, or streaks. Most people will experience spider veins at some point in their life due to heredity or because they have not been getting enough blood circulation.
Women are more likely to develop spider veins than men as they age. Spider veins usually don’t cause any pain, but they may feel itchy when they get swollen. In severe cases of spider vein inflammation, symptoms may include itching and swelling that can last for days leading to the formation of fluid-filled bumps. You can opt for spider vein treatment in South Carolina if you notice any symptoms.
What Causes Spider Veins?
When the walls of the blood vessels become weak, this can lead to the formation of tiny holes that cause blood to leak out into nearby tissues. Aging and sun damage are two common factors that weaken vessel walls. If a person has had a history of varicose veins, the chances of developing spider veins increase. Oftentimes though, spider veins just happen on their own without any known cause.
One of the most common causes of spider veins is pregnancy, although they are often referred to as a “pregnancy face.” You can also get spider veins in your legs and arms if you have circulation problems.
What are the Symptoms?
Spider veins typically appear as small red lines on the skin. Sometimes you may see one or two small red dots that look like tiny spider webs on your legs. The skin color is usually a pale yellowish color. How close a vein is to the surface of your skin can determine how noticeable it is. In some cases, you may have no symptoms at all, but if you notice that there are more and more of them appearing, then you will likely start to experience pain.
The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the legs or foot, along with the appearance of spider-web-like red patches that may be raised. You may notice that the spider veins are leaking blood.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have discomfort or pain caused by spider veins or are noticing new symptoms on your legs or arms.