That favorite dress (you know the one) is just waiting to be pulled from your closet and worn for a special occasion. However, you may hesitate to put it on due to unsightly spider veins on your legs. So instead, you reluctantly grab your go-to pair of jeans.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Spider veins cause many women (and men) to feel embarrassed about showing off their legs. Oftentimes, spider veins also can cause discomfort like itching or burning. So, let’s talk about it.
WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?
Spider veins are those small vessels that may appear red, blue or purple and sometimes have a web-like appearance just under the skin.
WHAT CAUSES THEM?
Spider veins can have several causes. Aging, heredity, hormonal changes, pregnancy, obesity and prolonged standing or sitting are all possible culprits.
HOW TO PREVENT THEM:
The good news is that there are a few steps you can take to minimize your risk of developing spider veins. Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle can help prevent the development of spider veins. Prolonged sun exposure can weaken the veins, so wearing sunscreen is never a bad idea. Compression stockings also help promote healthy circulation.
HOW TO GET RID OF THEM:
If you already have spider veins, the treatment is typically straightforward. Sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive office procedure, is safe and highly effective at erasing the appearance of spider veins. Your vein specialist injects the sclerotherapy solution into the small spider vein, which closes it off — making it look and feel better. The vein eventually will dissolve naturally back into the body. Multiple sessions often are required to achieve the desired result.
So, get moving, and cultivate a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. If you have spider veins you want to address, contact a board-certified vein specialist to discuss your options.
Then, you can confidently wear that dress.
Dr. Keith Thompson at the Vein Institute in Hattiesburg is a board-certified, full-time vein specialist. Reach him at (601) 336-8368.
