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What’s the Difference between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Spider veins and varicose veins are often confused, and used as interchangeable terms. While spider veins and varicose veins can result from the same conditions, and have some similarities, they’re different – from their appearance, symptoms, and health risks. Let’s explore what they are, their differences, and their removal.

What are spider veins?

The appearance of this vein condition is less intense than varicose veins, but you’ll probably still hide your legs. They’re usually the first step to developing varicose veins, if your vein valves and vein walls continue to weaken.

Spider veins are coined from their spider-like appearance. They even look like little purplish-red and blue sunbursts radiating from a center. They’re blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, but aren’t seriously inflamed. They’re most common in your legs, but can make appearances on your hands, nose, cheeks, and arms.

Spider veins rarely display any pain or symptoms, besides their appearance, and don’t pose any immediate medical problem. Because of this, they’re often seen as a cosmetic issue, and insurances will not cover treatment.

Age is also a factor, as is sun exposure. Family history can determine whether or not you’ll inherit the venous disease. If your family has a history of them, the higher chance you’ll get them.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are often classified as the extreme version of spider veins. They’re large and twisted, dark blue and purple, and can appear anywhere on the legs, including your ankles and groin. Unlike spider veins, this condition is usually accompanied by pain, leg swelling, aches, leg tiredness, fatigue, and numbness.

They appear when vein valves and walls are stressed and under too much pressure. They weaken over time, your veins inflame, and you get the perfect formula for the large bulbous purplish-blue veins on your legs.

Varicose veins can grow larger over time, causing more issues. Without treatment, varicose veins may lead to serious health problems such as blood clots, leg ulcers, open sores, and phlebitis.

This condition poses more of a health risk, and is less likely to be viewed as a cosmetic issue so insurances may cover it. Varicose veins are also close to the surface, and are pumping blood in reverse, causing buildup in your legs.

Varicose veins are much more uncomfortable and unsightly. While health may be a concern in their removal, aesthetics and appearance may be as well.

Removal of spider veins and varicose veins

Removal of spider veins and varicose veins is affordable and may be covered by your insurance. Treatment has never been quicker and
less painful. It’s a quick and easy process that will get you looking and feeling better in no time, and onto a road of recovery.

While spider veins may go away over time, varicose veins usually do not, and require treatment. Treatment of these venous diseases can alleviate pain, nasty appearances, and reduce your risk of serious health issues in the future. To learn more about treatment for varicose veins and spider veins, contact Dr. Sassan Kaveh at Alpha Vein Clinic today at (702) 430-7661.