Spider veins are actually more dangerous than people consider them to be. They can not only affect your appearance but also end up causing severe discomfort in the long run. Visiting a doctor once you notice these veins on your legs or your face is a must. They may seem painless and harmless but can be a root cause of something much serious.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are tiny, damaged veins that are visible on the surface of your face and legs. They appear in distinct colors such as red, blue, or purple and may look like thin harmless lines, branches, or webs. It is genetically transmitted, and if your parents have it, you are most likely to get it too.
Why Do We Get Spider Veins?
Spider veins are formed in our bodies when the small one-way valves weaken inside the veins. Once these valves get depleted, the blood ends up flowing backward and gets accumulated in the veins instead of rushing towards the heart, which puts pressure on the veins’ walls.
If the blood pressure continues, the walls of the veins weaken and start bulging. This is what leads to visible spider veins on our bodies.
What are the dangers of leaving spider veins untreated?
Although spider veins may look innocent and harmless, they can actually be a symptom of something more profound and much more extensive. Here are a few reasons why you should not leave spider veins untreated.
1. Blood Clots
One of the principal reasons why spider veins should not be left untreated or undiagnosed is that they can actually be an early warning sign of restricted blood flow in your veins, such as clotting or pooling.
Blood clotting is a serious issue that needs a doctor’s attention as soon as possible because they are highly hazardous to the body and will sooner or later reach the lungs, heart, or brain. Blood clots are even capable of causing permanent vein disease, which can be a life-long health issue.
2. Ulcers
If your body’s veins are going through constant tension, they can result in inflammation and swelling, which will ultimately develop into ulcers. Spider veins have a great chance of turning into ulcers over time. And if you do not get treated in time, they may cause long-term damage and become non-healing ulcers, which are a grave health issue.
3. Cellulitis
Spider veins are an early sign of another bigger issue within the body tissues, which is cellulitis. This is a disease that occurs due to the bacteria that are naturally present on the skin. Cellulitis can cause organ damage, tissue damage, and many other infections that may prevent the body from healing.
4. Pain
Spider veins may seem painless in the beginning. Still, once the other issues related to them begin to develop in the body, it can become a harrowing life-changing experience for someone. The pain caused in the legs due to it can become unbearable and will radiate throughout the legs, and sometimes even the entire body.
The sores and ulcers due to these spider veins can become quite deep and can affect the underlying muscles and tissues too.
5. Thrombophlebitis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism
Ignoring spider veins can ultimately give birth to life-threatening clots due to the hardening of the veins, which will limit the blood flow around the body.
- Thrombophlebitis is a disease that occurs when the blood clots up in a varicose vein. The veins start to harden, and the skin becomes painful and warm when you touch.
- Deep vein thrombosis is a disease that develops more profound in the veins, which causes swelling and pain. This mainly affects the legs more than other body parts.
- Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening disease that occurs when a blood clot breaks off and makes its way to your lungs. It can be incredibly harmful and severe.
How do I treat spider veins?
If you want to get these veins diagnosed and treated by a doctor, there are numerous clinics and hospitals dealing with this kind of treatment but Vein Center is one of the pioneers in spider vein treatment. Some of the ways to treat spider veins are-
1. Self-care
You can treat spider veins by following some self-care tips such as exercise, elevating your legs, avoiding long hot showers, walking, and taking continuously needed breaks.
2. Compression Stockings
These are stockings that help the blood to flow back into your heart by applying steady pressure on your legs. This pressure also helps to lessen the swelling and risk of blood clots in the lower legs.
3. Laser Treatment
Laser treatment helps the spider veins to disappear almost immediately after the treatment. It is an effective treatment where the dermatologist uses laser light directly on the veins to destroy them without damaging your skin.
4. Sclerotherapy
One of the most common treatments for spider veins, sclerotherapy, is safe and gives good results to the patients. It causes the vein walls to stick together so that the blood flow from within it stops. This leads to improved circulation and reduced swelling
Conclusion
Spider veins can cause several health issues if left untreated. The article entails all details about spider veins, their dangers, and treatment options. If you are suffering from spider veins, consult your doctor and choose the best treatment at the earliest.
