Compression for Spider Veins
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1016 products
Spider veins, medically known as telangiectasias, are a small network of vessels (threadlike veins) that are close to the skin’s surface. The network of vessels is often as delicate as a spider’s web, which is how they get their name, but they can also resemble tiny sunbursts, branching trees, or may be distributed in a linear fashion.
Spider veins are typically more prominent on the back and sides of the thigh and just below the knee, and occur mostly in women, although they are also seen in men.
Spider veins and varicose veins are not the same — and one does not lead to the other. While varicose veins are large, swollen, and occur singularly on the legs, spider veins are delicate and tend to develop in clusters. They are, however, caused by similar factors.
Exactly what happens in the body to produce spider veins isn’t known for sure, though there are theories that address possible causes:
Symptoms associated with spider veins may include:
Spider veins do not pose a serious health threat. Though they can cause localized burning pain, aching and discomfort, spider veins are primarily a cosmetic problem.
Spider veins usually take on one of three basic patterns:
Linear spider veins are commonly seen on the inner knee, whereas the arborizing pattern often appears on the outer thigh in a sunburst or cartwheel distribution.
Spider veins appear to be hormonally induced and often are associated with pregnancy and menstruation. Typically, spider veins cause aching discomfort, a heavy feeling, and legs that tire easily, with symptoms often worsening as the day continues. Relief comes with walking or elevating the legs. And yet, there are many that complain of no symptoms at all.
For most patients, the way to tell if you have spider veins is to simply look at your legs for signs of spider veins.