Spider veins
Dr. med. Julia Schwarz is a freelance writer in the medical department.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Spider veins are a sub-form of varicose veins (varicosis) and usually appear on the legs. They are localized extensions of fine, superficial veins that shimmer reddish-bluish through the skin. Spider veins rarely cause symptoms and are only an aesthetic problem for most of those affected. Find out everything you need to know about spider veins here!
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. I86I83
Spider veins: causes
Spider veins are small, superficial veins that shimmer reddish or bluish through the skin. They are usually harmless, but can also indicate a venous disease.
There are various causes for spider veins. Inheritance probably plays a role in their development. A permanently increased pressure in the blood vessels, for example in the case of high blood pressure, is often responsible when spider veins develop. The following factors, for example, also have a beneficial effect:
- female gender (due to their constitution, women tend to have weak connective tissue so that the tissue can stretch sufficiently during pregnancy)
- Frequent standing and sitting or little movement
- Alcohol and nicotine consumption
High blood pressure and a lack of exercise can lead to blood congestion in the veins causing spider veins. You can find out more about this and other risk factors below:
Congestion of blood in the veins
If the blood backs up in the veins, the vessel walls can expand - this promotes spider veins. Patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) therefore have a higher risk of venous diseases such as spider veins.
Obesity and lack of exercise also slow the blood flow in the veins. Sitting or lying down for long periods of time also hinders the flow of blood and can in the long run favor spider veins. Those affected then often complain of a feeling of heaviness and tension in their legs in the evening and find it pleasant and soothing to put their legs up.
Alcohol and nicotine
The pleasure poisons alcohol and nicotine can permanently damage the blood vessels. Nicotine releases the messenger substance vasopressin, which constricts the blood vessels. Excessive alcohol consumption often leads to vasodilation. Therefore, increased spider veins on the face (nose), but also on the fingers or toes, can be a first indication of harmful alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy and hormonal contraception
During pregnancy, the woman's hormonal balance changes. The female sex hormones (such as estrogens), among other things, let the connective tissue become loose and the blood vessels widen. The vessel walls also become softer and more porous. This promotes spider veins and edema - water accumulation in the tissue (because fluid can more easily escape from the porous vessel walls).
If the young mother loses weight drastically after the birth, this can also change the connective tissue structure - and the superficial veins can consequently expand.
In addition, hormonal contraceptives such as the pill can favor spider veins: The hormones supplied can contribute to a weak connective tissue.
Spider veins: treatment
Anyone who finds their own spider veins visually disturbing can have them removed by a doctor. There are various treatment methods available for this. For example, spider veins can be removed with a laser or flash lamp. This is usually done on an outpatient basis and requires a little patience: several sessions are usually necessary for successful treatment.
You can find out more about the various methods of treating spider veins and what you can do yourself against the annoying veins in the article Removing spider veins.
Spider veins: symptoms
Spider veins appear in the form of light red to dark blue veins, vascular trees or spots. They are called spider veins because these fine vessels resemble branched sticks or brooms made from tiny twigs. They usually occur in isolation in a vein without affecting deeper veins. Usually, spider veins do not cause discomfort. However, some people find them annoying for aesthetic reasons.
Most often, spider veins form on the legs. They often appear on the thighs, the insides of the lower legs, and in the ankle region.
Spider veins on the face
Even if both show up as red veins: spider veins on the face and spider veins on the leg are two different things. Extended veins on the face are called telangiectasias. These are enlarged, small capillary vessels in the skin that can appear like a network.
In most cases, telangiectasias are found on the nostrils and above the cheekbones. They arise less from a backlog of blood like the spider veins on the legs than from genetically determined (congenital) weak connective tissue or age-related vasodilatation (decreasing vascular elasticity). The telangiectasias on the face are usually harmless.
Spider veins: diagnosis
Spider veins are usually very easy to diagnose because they can be seen with the naked eye and have a typical reticulate shape. The right contact person for spider veins is a specialist in phlebology, i.e. an expert in veins.
In an initial interview, the doctor will collect your medical history (anamnesis) by asking you various questions, for example:
- How old are they?
- Do you smoke, and if so, how much?
- Do you suffer from a connective tissue disease?
- Do you feel a feeling of tension and heaviness in your legs in the evening?
- For women: are you or have you recently been pregnant?
- Do you have family members with spider veins?
- Do you bother or do you suffer from the spider veins?
This is followed by a physical examination. The doctor will carefully examine your face, hands, legs and feet. When doing this, for example, he pays attention to any swelling or discoloration of the skin when comparing the sides of the legs or hands.
If the doctor wants to be sure and exclude deeper-lying varicose veins, he can carry out an ultrasound examination (sonography) or an X-ray examination of the vessels (angiography). This allows the blood flow in the deeper veins to be assessed.
Prevent spider veins
Anyone prone to spider veins can and should take a few preventive measures to improve blood circulation. These include:
Prevent spider veins with exercise
Regular exercise such as cycling, running or swimming strengthens the calf muscles. This makes an important contribution to pumping the blood from the veins back to the heart so that it does not build up in the legs and favor spider veins. In addition, exercise stimulates the circulation and improves blood circulation in the skin, which also counteracts the formation of (new) spider veins.
Alternating showers and massages
Regular massages, such as using a brush in the shower, can improve blood flow to the skin. This in turn can help tighten the connective tissue and reduce the risk of (new) spider veins.
Alternating showers have a similar effect. You shower alternately hot and cold (finish with cold so that the vessels constrict again). The change in temperature stimulates blood flow and circulation and trains the blood vessels to widen quickly when it is warm and to contract again quickly when it is cold - this promotes the elasticity of the vascular walls. And the more elastic the veins are, the better they can transport blood back to the heart.
Healthy eating
A balanced diet also contributes to a well-perfused connective tissue. Eat fruits and vegetables daily and limit your fat and meat consumption. Drink at least two liters of water or unsweetened tea a day so that the blood does not thicken. Avoid sweetened food and drinks as much as possible and instead use healthy snacks such as nuts or dried fruits.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are very tight stockings that exert light external pressure on the tissue - including the veins. This means that they cannot expand so easily, which would slow down the blood flow and encourage the formation of a blood clot with subsequent vascular occlusion (thrombosis). In addition, compression stockings should also be able to help prevent and combat spider veins.
Herbal products
There are various herbal products (e.g. in the form of creams, capsules, tinctures) that are said to have a vein-protecting effect. Vine leaf extract is one of those home remedies. There are various vine leaf extract preparations for envelopes or infusions freely available in stores.
Some people also report success with horse chestnut extract. This contains the active ingredient aescin, which is supposed to reduce the permeability of the vein walls and improve blood circulation.
Conclusion
Even if a predisposition to spider veins is often hereditary and persists despite the correct preventive measures, changing lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, alternate showers and a healthy diet can certainly achieve good results and avoid (new) spider veins - or at least minimize them.
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