Spider Veins – An Ignored Disease

Spider veins are enlarged veins that show up close to the skin’s surface and may resemble spider webs. Usually, they appear blue or red and are most common on the legs and face. Spider veins may appear as disorganized irregular veins but commonly occur in clusters of varying density. Are you aware? They are commonly seen in females (especially post-pregnancy) and elderly people. Not only this, you will be stunned to know that they are of cosmetic concern to many patients because of their appearance and location, which may be at any site on the thigh, leg, ankle, and foot. Yes, you have heard us here! In some cases, these spider veins can invite symptoms such as pain, heaviness, burning or itching. Moreover, they can progress to larger varicose veins too. If you notice spider veins on your body, it is important to consult a doctor.

The Symptoms should not be ignored

Spider veins may also cause symptoms such as Pain, Burning, a feeling of heaviness in the legs and Fatigue that increase with prolonged standing or sitting. It is not uncommon for patients to change their lifestyles because of the appearance of the symptoms of spider veins of the legs. Women, especially, often change their way of dressing and their activities.

The causes

Spider veins occur in most people as a consequence of heredity, as often there is a strong family history of spider veins in parents or grandparents. But sometimes spider veins by their distribution and density will raise the possibility of venous hypertension from failed valves (incompetence) of superficial or deep veins of the leg. This may range from incompetent reticular veins to incompetent superficial veins such as the great saphenous vein, which courses deep in the fat and near the muscle of the leg.

Keep these vital things in mind

· Stay physically active to strengthen your leg muscles and enhance circulation. To do so, you can opt for running, brisk walking or dancing. Remember not to go overboard with these activities.

· Try to stay healthy by maintaining a proper weight to take-off that pressure from your legs, knees and feet.

· Do you wear your sunscreen regularly? If not then it is the right time to start doing so. It is the need of the hour to shield your skin from the sun damage that is responsible for spreading spider veins, mainly on your face.

· Speak to your expert regarding support stockings or socks that are suitable for you. Opting for them can be helpful as they apply gentle, graduated pressure to the leg from the foot upward. The bonus point- stockings or socks can help reduce the expansion of the vein wall and improves circulation.

· Swear by lower-heeled shoes: If you suffer from spider veins then avoid wearing high heels. Wearing lower-heeled shoes to help tone your calf muscles and keep blood moving through your veins.

· Load up on fibre-rich foods: Adhere to a well-balanced diet by including that much-needed fibre. Thus, you will have to eat foods that are jam-packed with fibre like leafy vegetables, berries, nuts and seeds, broccoli and carrots. The added fibre will help reduce constipation that can cause varicose veins, and eating less salt can help keep varicose vein swelling at bay.

· Elevation can be the key: Elevate your legs while resting and flex your calf muscles while standing as much as possible. Elevating your legs them helps keep the blood from pooling in the veins. And flexing your calves keeps blood pumping upward and out of your legs.

Also, you can opt for Cryo Laser and Cryo Sclerotherapy (CLaCS) recently started in India. CLaCS is a revolutionary Brazilian technique for the treatment of small varicose veins and spider veins of the legs. CLaCS is a combination of different technologies like augmented reality, transdermal laser, sclerotherapy and skin cooling for local anaesthesia. In some cases, these spider veins too can cause symptoms such as pain, heaviness, burning or itching. They can progress to larger varicose veins too.

CLaCS is a painless procedure done under local anaesthesia. The high flow of ice-cold air directed onto the skin at the site of laser or needle application removes the discomfort and most patients have little pain from the treatment.

In CLaCS, there are no specific precautions after treatment. There is no need to wear stockings in the majority of cases. The patient returns to work and usual activities with 4-6 hrs. Exercise is permitted as well after 24 hrs.

What you shouldn’t do?

Don't wear those gorgeous stilettos for too long. They keep your calf muscles from effectively pumping blood out of the leg. Don't cross your legs for too long while sitting.

Avoid sitting or standing for long periods without a break. If you must stand for too long, shift your weight from one leg to another every few minutes. And if you sit at a desk or work table for most of your workday, stand up and move around or take a quick, brisk walk every half hour. Keeping these vital tips in mind can be helpful.

Dr Ashish D. Dhadas

Guest Author The author is a Varicose Veins expert at Surekha Varicose Veins Clinic, Samata Hospital, Dombivli, Mumbai.