Spider veins are common in millions of individuals. They are known as spider veins because of their appearance. The lesion has a dark center with small lines radiating away from the center. Why spider veins occur is not fully understood but has been linked to excess sun exposure and excess pressure in the small veins.
Where do spider veins occur most commonly?
Spider veins are most common on the face and legs. On the face, spider veins have been linked to sun exposure. They typically appear on the nose and cheeks. On the legs, spider veins are most common on the back and front of thighs and near the knee. Women who stand all day and those who take the birth control pills are also prone to spider veins.
Can spider veins cause symptoms?
All individuals should understand that spider veins are harmless and only a cosmetic problem. Spider veins do not cause any symptoms. If any individual complains of pain, swelling, itching, or numbness-the cause is not spider veins. The majority of women come to see a physician only because spider veins are unsightly and the problem is cosmetic.
How can one get rid of spider veins?
Spider veins on the legs can be removed using two methods. One is sclerotherapy and other is laser. Sclerotherapy involves injection of an irritant chemical into each spider vein. The irritant chemical causes collapse of the vein. The vein is then slowly removed from the body in a few weeks. Each spider veins requires a needle prick. After the procedure, compressive garments have to be worn for about a week. Laser is another way to treat spider veins. The procedure is fast, has little down time and the results are fairly immediate. Laser unfortunately is fairly expensive.
Showing posts with label spider veins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spider veins. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Can Vitamin K creams help my spider veins?
Millions of women have spider veins and the majority dislike them. Spider veins commonly occur on the face and outer thigh. While these skin lesions do not cause symptoms, they are not aesthetically pleasing. Some women only have a few spider veins, but a few unlucky women develop multiple spider veins.
Over the years, many treatments have been developed to get rid of spider veins. The latest is vitamin K creams. Vendors of these vitamin K creams claim that daily application of vitamin K ointments can help get rid of spider veins and prevent recurrence.
There are hundreds of vitamin K based creams on sale in health food stores and cosmetic shops. In each case, extravagant claims are made that by applying these creams on the skin, spider veins will disappear in a few days or weeks.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and generally taken by mouth or given by an injection. All Humans have large stores of vitamin K and do not need to take extra supplements on a daily basis. Vitamin K is readily obtained in the diet from numerous vegetables and legumes. In some individuals who have excess bleeding from disordered coagulation, vitamin K is often administered via an injection in a hospital setting. It is the rare physician who prescribes vitamin K as a supplement for an outpatient.
So do these vitamin K based creams actually work?
Over the years, many treatments have been developed to get rid of spider veins. The latest is vitamin K creams. Vendors of these vitamin K creams claim that daily application of vitamin K ointments can help get rid of spider veins and prevent recurrence.
There are hundreds of vitamin K based creams on sale in health food stores and cosmetic shops. In each case, extravagant claims are made that by applying these creams on the skin, spider veins will disappear in a few days or weeks.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and generally taken by mouth or given by an injection. All Humans have large stores of vitamin K and do not need to take extra supplements on a daily basis. Vitamin K is readily obtained in the diet from numerous vegetables and legumes. In some individuals who have excess bleeding from disordered coagulation, vitamin K is often administered via an injection in a hospital setting. It is the rare physician who prescribes vitamin K as a supplement for an outpatient.
So do these vitamin K based creams actually work?
How can I treat my spider veins?
Spider veins are tiny “star” shaped dark blue veins frequently seen in women in their 30s and 40s. Spider veins are most common on the face and upper thigh.
Spider veins appear blue and can be very prominent in individuals with fair skin. One fact all individuals who have spider veins need to know. Spider veins are harmless. If you have pain, swelling, itching, headache or any other symptoms. – the cause is never spider veins. Spider veins are only of a cosmetic concern.
Individuals with symptoms should not undergo treatment for spider veins until the cause of their symptoms has been discovered. Treating spider veins will not get rid of your symptoms but will make your skin look nicer
Spider veins tend to occur spontaneously or during minor trauma. Many individuals who are over weight, pregnant or those who stand around for long periods also develop spider veins.
There are only two treatments for spider veins: which include sclerotherapy, and laser- neither is ideal. Today, there is a lot of hype made about the latest lasers and how they can cure spider veins. Lasers can be used on any part of the body but the results are not guaranteed, complications are common and lasers are exorbitantly expensive.
Both sclerotherapy and laser treatments can be done as an outpatient. In sclerotherapy, an irritant solution is injected in each spider vein. This painful procedure requires several sessions, is associated with many complications, and the results are mediocre at best. Most women who undergo sclerotherapy remain unsatisfied. The only upside of sclerotherapy is that it is cheaper than laser.
Laser therapy is faster, can treat many spider veins in a few minutes but the results are also not guaranteed. Complications with lasers are common, the procedure is painful, and laser is very expensive.
Neither sclerotherapy nor laser is a cure for spider veins. In both cases, spider veins disappear for a few months and do reappear.
For those who have spider veins and have no money, stay way from both laser and sclerotherapy- instead wear compressions stockings. For those who have money, perhaps one may opt for laser. Remember, there are no refunds with both therapies and the results are not predictable. The best way to treat spider veins is to prevent them in the first place- this means keeping away from the sun and wearing compression stockings.
Spider veins appear blue and can be very prominent in individuals with fair skin. One fact all individuals who have spider veins need to know. Spider veins are harmless. If you have pain, swelling, itching, headache or any other symptoms. – the cause is never spider veins. Spider veins are only of a cosmetic concern.
Individuals with symptoms should not undergo treatment for spider veins until the cause of their symptoms has been discovered. Treating spider veins will not get rid of your symptoms but will make your skin look nicer
Spider veins tend to occur spontaneously or during minor trauma. Many individuals who are over weight, pregnant or those who stand around for long periods also develop spider veins.
There are only two treatments for spider veins: which include sclerotherapy, and laser- neither is ideal. Today, there is a lot of hype made about the latest lasers and how they can cure spider veins. Lasers can be used on any part of the body but the results are not guaranteed, complications are common and lasers are exorbitantly expensive.
Both sclerotherapy and laser treatments can be done as an outpatient. In sclerotherapy, an irritant solution is injected in each spider vein. This painful procedure requires several sessions, is associated with many complications, and the results are mediocre at best. Most women who undergo sclerotherapy remain unsatisfied. The only upside of sclerotherapy is that it is cheaper than laser.
Laser therapy is faster, can treat many spider veins in a few minutes but the results are also not guaranteed. Complications with lasers are common, the procedure is painful, and laser is very expensive.
Neither sclerotherapy nor laser is a cure for spider veins. In both cases, spider veins disappear for a few months and do reappear.
For those who have spider veins and have no money, stay way from both laser and sclerotherapy- instead wear compressions stockings. For those who have money, perhaps one may opt for laser. Remember, there are no refunds with both therapies and the results are not predictable. The best way to treat spider veins is to prevent them in the first place- this means keeping away from the sun and wearing compression stockings.
Monday, May 4, 2009
What causes spider veins? part 3
Trauma: Any type of trauma can lead to development of spider veins. Because these small tiny veins are very superficial and located immediately underneath the skin, even mild trauma can lead to rupture of these veins. Either blunt of penetrating trauma can lead to spider veins.
Sun: The biggest risk factor for spider veins is prolonged exposure to sun. How sun causes spider veins is not known but is related to the harmful UV rays, which weaken vein walls. Almost all individuals who have prolonged exposure to sun develop spider veins prematurely on their face.
Tight clothing: In recent years, it has become obvious that women who wear extremely tight clothes, girdles, underpants, or jeans frequently have spider veins. Restrictive clothing is one reason why spider veins are more common in younger individuals. The tight clothing limits blood flow and lead to blood engorgement. As the pressure in veins is increased, spider veins start to appear.
In some individuals, no known risk factor is known and yet they develop spider veins. In such cases, this is simply due to bad karma.
Sun: The biggest risk factor for spider veins is prolonged exposure to sun. How sun causes spider veins is not known but is related to the harmful UV rays, which weaken vein walls. Almost all individuals who have prolonged exposure to sun develop spider veins prematurely on their face.
Tight clothing: In recent years, it has become obvious that women who wear extremely tight clothes, girdles, underpants, or jeans frequently have spider veins. Restrictive clothing is one reason why spider veins are more common in younger individuals. The tight clothing limits blood flow and lead to blood engorgement. As the pressure in veins is increased, spider veins start to appear.
In some individuals, no known risk factor is known and yet they develop spider veins. In such cases, this is simply due to bad karma.
What causes spider veins? part 2
Pregnancy: The one physiological condition where spider veins do become prominent is pregnancy. Many women develop spider veins on the face and lower thigh in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. This is linked to increased levels of estrogen, weight gain, and fluid retention. The increased fluid leads to engorgement of small veins that start to appear dark blue.
Estrogen is known to weaken walls of veins and also impairs function of valves which control blood flow. The increased fluid retention during pregnancy leads to stretching of the tiny veins that start to become more obvious.
Spider veins also become more prominent on lower legs and thigh during the 3rd trimester because the increased pressure from the fetus places pressure on the tiny veins. Often, these small veins rupture and appear as blue blotches. If a female has developed spider veins in the first pregnancy, she will likely develop more spider veins during subsequent pregnancies. Once pregnancy has ended, spider veins do lighten in color but do not always completely disappear.
Prolonged standing: Individuals who stand on their feet all day are prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged standing leads to pooling of blood in leg veins and this leads to engorgement of tiny veins. With standing, the leg muscles do not contract, hence blood does not move up to the heart. As pressure builds up, veins become more prominent and occasionally rupture and appear as bluish spots.
Prolonged sitting: Individuals who are in occupations where they sit all the time are also prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged sitting leads to muscle inactivity, blood pooling and engorgement of veins. Once you start to walk, muscles squeeze the excess blood which then starts to recirculate. Walking also drops pressure in the legs.
Estrogen is known to weaken walls of veins and also impairs function of valves which control blood flow. The increased fluid retention during pregnancy leads to stretching of the tiny veins that start to become more obvious.
Spider veins also become more prominent on lower legs and thigh during the 3rd trimester because the increased pressure from the fetus places pressure on the tiny veins. Often, these small veins rupture and appear as blue blotches. If a female has developed spider veins in the first pregnancy, she will likely develop more spider veins during subsequent pregnancies. Once pregnancy has ended, spider veins do lighten in color but do not always completely disappear.
Prolonged standing: Individuals who stand on their feet all day are prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged standing leads to pooling of blood in leg veins and this leads to engorgement of tiny veins. With standing, the leg muscles do not contract, hence blood does not move up to the heart. As pressure builds up, veins become more prominent and occasionally rupture and appear as bluish spots.
Prolonged sitting: Individuals who are in occupations where they sit all the time are also prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged sitting leads to muscle inactivity, blood pooling and engorgement of veins. Once you start to walk, muscles squeeze the excess blood which then starts to recirculate. Walking also drops pressure in the legs.
What Causes spider veins?
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are a real nuisance. These tiny small veins appear just below the surface of skin and are very common. They are called spider because the vein has a very dark center with linear radiating lines circumferentially. Spider veins are also known as “star” veins or telengiectasias. One can have just one spider vein or many such skin lesions. It is estimated that close to 60% of the population develops spider veins at some point in their lives.
Where do spider veins generally occur?
In most cases, spider veins appear on the face (especially around the nose and cheeks). On the leg, spider veins are most common around the back of thighs.
Why do docs talk a lot about spider veins?
Am sorry to say, but MDs who hype about spider veins are clueless and only want your money. Spider veins are only a cosmetic nuisance and cause no harm. They are not life threatening.
Why do spider veins occur?
The exact cause is not known but there are several risk factors:
Age: Spider veins are extremely rare in children and young adults. As we age, spider veins do start to appear. In most cases, spider veins first appear in the 3rd/4th decade of life. As humans get older, almost everyone develops spider veins. Elderly individuals who have delicate and fragile skin easily develop spider veins from minimal trauma.
Genetics: Even though it is known that spider veins do run in families, the exact gene and type of linkage inheritance is unknown. The genetic linkage is stronger for females than males. There is no known medical disorder that has been associated with an increased frequency of spider veins
Spider veins are a real nuisance. These tiny small veins appear just below the surface of skin and are very common. They are called spider because the vein has a very dark center with linear radiating lines circumferentially. Spider veins are also known as “star” veins or telengiectasias. One can have just one spider vein or many such skin lesions. It is estimated that close to 60% of the population develops spider veins at some point in their lives.
Where do spider veins generally occur?
In most cases, spider veins appear on the face (especially around the nose and cheeks). On the leg, spider veins are most common around the back of thighs.
Why do docs talk a lot about spider veins?
Am sorry to say, but MDs who hype about spider veins are clueless and only want your money. Spider veins are only a cosmetic nuisance and cause no harm. They are not life threatening.
Why do spider veins occur?
The exact cause is not known but there are several risk factors:
Age: Spider veins are extremely rare in children and young adults. As we age, spider veins do start to appear. In most cases, spider veins first appear in the 3rd/4th decade of life. As humans get older, almost everyone develops spider veins. Elderly individuals who have delicate and fragile skin easily develop spider veins from minimal trauma.
Genetics: Even though it is known that spider veins do run in families, the exact gene and type of linkage inheritance is unknown. The genetic linkage is stronger for females than males. There is no known medical disorder that has been associated with an increased frequency of spider veins
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