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Spider veins are tiny red, blue or purple veins that commonly appear on the surface of the thighs, calves and ankles. They tend to take on one of three characteristic patterns; a “sunburst” or spider-web pattern radiating outward from a central point, a “tree-branch” pattern, or a “matting” or linear pattern that may be nothing more than a set of thin lines.
Spider veins are extremely frequent and may be associated with symptoms such as burning and itching or just an uncomfortable feeling in the legs. Risk factors for spider veins are similar to those for varicose veins; age, heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity and extended periods of standing as well as sun exposure and injuries to the skin surface.
Spider veins may be isolated or associated with “feeder” veins or with larger underlying varicose veins. They are often considered merely cosmetic, but can signal an abnormal increase in pressure in the venous system in the legs. For that reason, most physicians prefer to conduct an ultrasound exam to determine the extent of the problem and the underlying causes of the condition before formulating a treatment plan. Contact us for more info on spider vein treatment in Phoenix, Chandler and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Varicose veins can predispose to the formation of both superficial and deep venous clots or thrombosis . Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly forms in the large veins in the legs. The clot can block blood flow and cause swelling and pain. A blood clot can also break free in the legs and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus), and can be life-threatening. Rapid treatment of DVT helps prevent this problem.
Symptoms of blood clots can include; increased warmth, pain or tenderness in one leg, skin that feels warm or tender to the touch or just swelling. Rapid evaluation by a health care provider is imperative if you have symptoms of a DVT.
Varicose veins are the visible surface manifestation of an underlying condition called venous insufficiency. When blood does not flow properly from the surface veins to the deep veins, pressure can build up causing loosely supported superficial veins to become dilated and twisted. Those lying in the fat under the skin give rise to varicose veins which can vary in size from quite small (2-3mm across) to very large (2-3 cm across).
Very small veins are called “spider veins” or “thread veins”. These veins are different from varicose veins because they are situated within the layer of the skin itself. They may look like short, fine lines, “starburst” cluster, or web-like maze. Spider veins are most common on the thighs, ankles and feet.
Vein failure leads to abnormally high pressure in the leg veins which can force fluid out into the tissues causing swelling (edema). High vein pressures and stress on the vein walls also leads to red and white blood cells being forced or migrating out of the blood vessels into the tissues. When this occurs over an extended period of time, venous insufficiency can cause a number of skin problems.
As red blood cells break down their iron is deposited in the tissues leading to a brown discoloration (skin pigmentation). As activated white blood cells enter the tissues they release chemicals that damage the tissues. This may lead to the build up of products (e.g. fibrin) that impede diffusion of oxygen and other nutrients. The first skin signs are often mild eczema with wet and itchy, red scaly skin (varicose eczema), usually just above the ankle. More advanced skin lesions appear as shiny white areas of skin (atrophie blanche) or include hardening of the fatty layer beneath it (lipodermatosclerosis).
The ultimate result can be death of the tissues surrounding the veins leading to ulceration (venous stasis ulcers). The typical venous ulcer occurs on the lower leg (usually near the ankle where the vein pressures are highest) and is often surrounded by skin having a rusty brown color.
