Spider Veins Vs Varicose Veins
Spider veins and varicose veins are basically the same thing, are affected in the same way, but usually have greatly differing outcomes. While varicose veins can cause sometimes debilitating pain, swelling, itching, or feeling of heaviness in the affected leg, spider veins are usually only unsightly. These tiny veins, visible under the skin of thighs, legs, and face usually present no health problems. When someone takes steps to treat their varicose veins with lifestyle changes, as in losing weight and exercising more, treating them holistically with healthy changes to the diet, herbs, or short fasts, the spider veins are being treated as well.
Spider veins are aptly named, as the tiny, damaged capillaries do resemble spiders. They are caused by the backflow of blood to the tiny veins and capillaries. If these appear in conjunction with varicose veins, their treatment, by itself, is considered inappropriate, as it is not addressing the underlying problem. They can be a red or purplish color, and in many cases can be so small that they are rarely noticed.
Spider veins can be covered with makeup, if they appear on the face. There are laser treatments for facial spider veins, but insurance will rarely cover the procedure, as it is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary.
Spider veins, particularly on the face, can show up at first as little squiggles on the cheek, barely noticeable. Makeup or a tan can hide them from view, until they are noticed. They are so small as to not cause concern, but later they can cover the cheek area. For a while it may appear quite like a blusher has been applied to the cheek when it hasn’t. Over the period of twenty years or so, the spider veins can spread all over the face, and sometimes on body parts as breasts and legs. They can be very visible on the face, particularly in warm weather, during sports, in periods of heightened emotion, or hot flashes during menopause. Sometimes the face can feel overly warm, but usually there is nothing to alert a person to their exacerbation until someone asks,” Are you alright?”This usually means that the face is an all-over shade of hot pink, red, or magenta.
Varicose veins and spider veins are caused by the same mechanism. These veins are affected by heredity, hormones, pregnancy, an occupation that requires standing in one place for long periods of time, weight, inactivity, and something as innocuous as wearing high heels. Therefore, women are much more likely to develop varicose veins than men, however, men do develop varicose veins and spider veins, although women are four times more likely to develop spider veins than men.
Sometimes spider veins can be painful, but this occurs very rarely. The subjective pain of a sometimes unsightly problem will have to be worked out by the sufferer.
It is said that varicose veins are the price humans have to pay for being erect. While it may be painful we continue to walk on two legs and lead our lives.
Recommended Reading
- The Why How What And When Of Varicose Veins
- Varicose Veins Explained
- Preventing And Improving Varicose Veins
- Dont Ignore Varicose Veins
- Varicose Veins An Overview
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