Spider veins are harmless but conspicuous tiny dark veins on the legs. Women are more frequently affected. Spider veins are caused by a backlog of blood in the leg veins. Here you will find further information and selected doctors for the treatment of spider veins.
Spider veins, also known as spider vein varicose veins, are tiny, conspicuous veins on the surface of the legs. They develop when blood builds up in the veins because the venous valves no longer function properly or are overloaded. This causes the small vessels to wear out and become visible under the skin in the form of thin blue-red branches.
There is no direct danger from spider veins. They cannot develop into thromboses or pulmonary embolisms. However, spider veins can indicate other venous disorders.
Medicine offers those affected various treatment options to eliminate the blemish. There are also prevention methods to prevent spider veins from developing in the first place. Spider veins are much more common among women than men.
The following risk factors promote the development of spider veins:
The interaction between muscle pumps and venous valves is disturbed by too much standing or sitting. As a result, the blood cannot be transported to the heart via the veins. As it constantly returns to the veins, the walls of the blood vessels stretch and become stretchy.
Like varicose veins, spider veins are caused by blood flowing back into the leg veins © Henrie | AdobeStock
The removal of spider veins is not absolutely necessary from a medical point of view, as they are initially considered harmless. However, they can generally indicate circulatory disorders and should therefore be examined medically.
There are two proven methods for removing spider veins for aesthetic reasons:
Larger spider veins in particular consist of both large and medium-sized as well as very fine veins. A combination of both treatment options is used here.
Spider veins are removed by experienced experts in phlebology, vascular surgery or angiology.
Whensclerosing spider veins, an alcohol-based agent is injected into the vein. This triggers an irritation of the vein wall, which causes the vein to close. As the vein walls now stick together, the body gradually breaks down the veins.
The treatment can generally be performed on an outpatient basis and repeated as often as required.
Several treatment sessions are necessary to achieve the desired result. The number of treatments depends on the number of spider veins and their branches. The treatment is only slightly painful. Apart from the slight insertion of the needle, nothing is felt.
Small bruises or inflammation of the veins may occur after sclerotherapy, but these are harmless and will subside. The same applies to brownish discolorations that may form around the puncture site.
Wearing compression stockings is recommended immediately after the treatment. Prolonged standing or sitting should be avoided.
Instead, movement is important to stimulate the blood flow in the remaining vessels.
Laser treatment is used in particular for very fine vessels that are too small to be obliterated.
As part of this method, the treating doctor guides a laser along the affected areas. This releases a certain amount of energy in a punctured area. The red blood pigment in the vessel absorbs the energy released, causing damage to the vein walls. This damage causes the vein to die.
As the treatment of spider veins with the laser is gentler than sclerotherapy, it is not necessary to wear compression stockings afterwards. In addition, the side effects are fewer than with sclerotherapy. The skin usually only shows redness, which subsides after a while.
A laser treatment session usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Depending on the depth of the spider veins, several sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired result.
There is usually an interval of four weeks between sessions.
Spider vein treatment with laser © mkrberlin | AdobeStock
In addition to conventional medical procedures and ointments, some home remedies are also said to be effective against spider veins.
In most cases, these home remedies can only help to stop them from spreading. The most effective way to remove spider veins is by sclerotherapy or laser treatment. Always ask your doctor for advice.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is said to promote blood circulation - exactly what you need to counteract spider veins.
Rub the affected areas daily with a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also has a pH-regulating effect on the skin.
Horse chestnuts
Horse chestnut extract contains the active ingredient aescin. This active ingredient improves blood circulation through the veins.
Several studies have proven the effectiveness of horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency.
Cold leg showers
Showering your legs with cold water promotes blood circulation and has many other positive effects, such as activating the autonomic nervous system.
Shower your legs in cold water every day to achieve these positive effects.
Sleep with your legs elevated
Sleep with your legs elevated to support the blood flow in the veins. Special vein cushions are available for this purpose. This reduces the expansion or congestion of the blood vessels. This prevents the spider veins from getting bigger.
The removal of spider veins is an aesthetic procedure. Health insurance companies therefore do not cover the costs.
The cost of spider vein removal is made up of various factors, e.g.
For the treatment of spider veins, however, you can roughly expect a session to cost between €100 and €150 .
How many sessions are necessary must be decided by the treating doctor on a case-by-case basis.
The formation of spider veins cannot be completely prevented. Nevertheless, there are ways to improve vein health and counteract the formation of these unsightly blemishes.
Regular exercise is the main way to do this. Muscle tension exerts pressure on the veins, which promotes vein health. We therefore recommend endurance sports such as
It is also possible to counteract the development of varicose veins with decongestion and venous gymnastics. Smoking in general and taking the contraceptive pill from the age of 30 should be avoided.
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