Unsightly veins that show up on your legs uninvited can be a concern, and we understand! After all, you may not know if they’re going to get worse over time. And in North Texas, where it’s sunny and warm much of the year, keeping your legs covered isn’t always convenient or comfortable.
At The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates, we love to educate our patients about the venous issues that cause spider and varicose veins to develop, as well as how to prevent them and how we can treat them. All so you can get back to living your life! That’s why we’ve started a new series with our newest addition to the team: Ask Dr. Wishnew!
Today’s question is…
Are spider veins anything to worry about?
Here’s what Dr. Jenna Wishnew has to say:
Varicose veins, or spider veins when they are smaller, are areas of a blood vessel in which the wall has become dilated. Whereas varicose veins are large, rope-like and bulge through the skin, spider veins are small, often red and are not typically raised.
Varicose veins can also occur with other symptoms like leg fatigue, heaviness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, ulcers or wounds can even develop. Both types generally occur due to elevated pressure in the vein system. The excess pressure can be a result of things like pregnancy, obesity or prolonged standing, but can also be hereditary.
A common condition, both spider veins and varicose veins occur in 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men. They are also more common in people 50 years old and older. Spider veins alone aren’t dangerous, but they can be a sign of underlying vein incompetence. Your doctor will likely evaluate the underlying vein to assess if the underlying vein is working or if the problem is only skin deep.
An evaluation at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates is non-invasive and involves the use of ultrasound to look at the size and flow of the veins. If the underlying vein is the problem, it can be treated first and the spider veins may resolve on their own. If spider veins remain, they can be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure that will close these veins and make them disappear. Other treatments we might recommend may include exercise, compression therapy and weight loss.
The Vein Center: Treating Spider and Varicose Veins in Dallas, TX
At The Vein Center, we know veins. We are your go-to for helping you fully understand your options, and with guidance from our team of specialists, choose the right varicose vein treatment for you. Schedule your evaluation at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates today. Enjoy healthy legs for a healthy life!
Not sure if you should seek treatment? Take our Vein Self-Test to find out!
Meet Dr. Wishnew
Jenna Wishnew, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon at Lam Vascular & Associates. She has extensive experience in wound care, using this expertise to treat varicose veins, venous insufficiency and associated wounds at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates.
