Did you know that spider veins can show up not only on your legs but also on your face? In today’s article, learn about leg and face spider veins and how to diminish their appearance with advanced low-cost, at-home remedies.
Spider Veins Explained
Spider veins are thread-like, damaged veins close to the surface of the leg or facial skin. The name for this type of vascular problem comes from its resemblance to spider webs.
In contrast to uncomfortable, swollen varicose veins, the highly visible veins lie just beneath the skin surface.
Symptoms & Signs of Spider Veins
Spider veins may be noticeable and vary in color, including red, blue, or purple.
Despite being a mild version of varicose veins, spider veins on the legs might cause itching, heaviness, or burning aside from the discoloration of the skin surrounding the vein.
Causes of Spider Veins on Face and Legs
Typically, one-way valves in our veins play a significant role in keeping blood from traveling backward. However, in this case, malfunctioning valves cause the blood to pool inside the vein and end up in dead-end veins over time, resulting in spider veins. Moreover, aging and poor skin condition might be reasons behind spider veins.
Risk Factors of Spider Veins
It’s important to understand that spider veins can develop at any age, race, or gender. Still, some people are at higher risk than others. Several risk factors can heighten your chances of having spider veins on your face or legs, including:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Heredity
- Environmental or chemical pollutants
- Pregnancy
- Hormone therapy
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Extreme pressure on the face (coughing, sneezing, vomiting)
- Injuries
- Rosacea
How To Treat Spider Veins on Face and Legs
Although spider veins are painless and harmless, most people opt for cosmetic surgeries to resolve the vein problem since broken blood vessels may create image issues for people with spider veins.
Depending on your condition, it’s essential to talk with your doctor before beginning any treatment. We recommend treating spider veins on the face and legs with sclerotherapy.
Sclerosing agents are directly injected to seal up the vein, helping spider veins disappear or collapse after a period of time. It’s possible to experience pain or discomfort using this method, but it should go away within a few days.
In addition to the advanced strategies above, low-cost, efficient home remedies such as arnica oil, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and vitamin C are rumored to help reduce the appearance of spider veins. Before applying on your face or legs, test them on a small skin area to see which ingredients you may be allergic to.
Moreover, it’s been claimed by some that avoiding using hot water when washing your face may be a beneficial everyday practice to minimize further blood vessel damage. After being out in the sun for too long, applying an ice pack onto your face also helps eliminate the appearance of spider veins.
How To Prevent Spider Veins?
Here are some preventive measures you can take to avoid the occurrence of spider veins:
- Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol: These foods and beverages are known as vasodilators which adversely contribute to the development of spider veins.
- Avoid extreme heat: Heat from saunas, hot weather, or saunas dilates the blood vessels, causing spider veins to become prominent over time.
- Wear sun protection: Covering yourself with a hat, sunglasses, a facemask, and an extra layer of clothes can help lower the risks of developing spider veins, especially if you live in a tropical climate.
Despite often being harmless, spider veins on your face and legs may cause certain issues, such as inhibiting you from confidently showing your legs. Additionally, facial spider veins may indicate other underlying health issues. If you show any of these symptoms, see a vein specialist for a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
If you have questions about spider veins on the face or any conditions discussed here, we can help.
Vascular & Interventional Specialists offers screening, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide range of vascular conditions. We specialize in vascular surgery and interventional radiology – world class procedures right here in your world.
If you’re having trouble with any of these symptoms, you can reach us at (605) 540-1561. We’re here to help.
