Got Spider Veins or Varicose Veins?
If you are suffering from spider veins or varicose veins, you might be wondering how common these skin conditions are.
Both types of veins are common skin conditions, appearing in many people. In fact, more than forty million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins.
Some facts about Spider veins and varicose veins
- Almost fifty percent of varicose vein patients have a family history of varicose veins.
- If both parents have varicose veins, your chances of developing the condition rises to almost ninety percent.
- If one parent is affected, daughters have a sixty percent chance while sons have a twenty five percent chance of developing these veins.
- The prevalence of varicose veins is higher in women (fifty five per cent) than men (forty five percent).
- It is estimated that forty one percent of women over the age of fifty have varicose veins.
- It is estimated that fifty percent of the US population over the age of fifty has varicose veins and...
- Women who are moderately overweight (BMI 25-29.9) have a fifty percent increased risk of developing varicose veins compared with women who are not overweight.
Some people use the terms spider veins and varicose veins interchangeably. But although the two share some similarities, they are different.
What are differences between spider veins and varicose veins?
- Spider veins appear as much smaller and fainter webs of damaged blood cells, commonly appearing on the legs but sometimes on the face or on other body parts.
- Varicose veins are typically swollen and raised.
- Both spider and varicose veins become more likely as you age.
-
Spider veins may also be caused by: sun exposure, hormonal shifts or injuries.
Why do spider veins and varicose veins appear?
Veins have one-way valves that open and shut and help keep blood pumping to the heart. These walls may sometimes weaken or become damaged. When that happens, blood can pool and bulge in the veins and even flow backward, resulting in varicose veins.
In addition, various factors can cause blood pressure to increase inside the veins, including:
- Pregnancy
- Constipation
- Tumors
- Being overweight or obese
- Sitting or standing for long periods
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
Can spider veins turn into varicose veins?
With spider veins and varicose veins being so common, how can they be prevented or treated?
Prevention home remedies (which can help boost blood flow circulation in your body and help with vein function) include:
- Exercising regularly
- Elevating your legs when sitting or lying down
- Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods
- Wearing compression socks or stockings
To completely remove the veins, you may need to undergo one of these procedures:
- Sclerotherapy which is the most common treatment when a special solution is injected directly into the veins to seal them shut and causing them to die off and disappear. Several treatments may be needed to remove the veins completely.
- Laser therapy which uses heat to break down spider veins and smaller varicose veins on the face or legs. This type of technology is directed at the veins from outside the skin, gradually breaking down the veins over several weeks and possibly several sessions.
- Endovenous ablation which involves making a small cut in the skin and using either radio frequency or laser technology to target the veins.
- Surgery which may be required for large, deep veins if they don’t respond to other removal methods.
How to relieve the symptoms of spider veins and varicose veins naturally?
Our very own H-Varicose Veins Formula is the natural, safe and gentle solution for the symptoms of spider veins and varicose veins.
The Formula is applied topically around and above varicose veins and directly onto spider veins using a cotton swab or your finger. The formula is concentrated, so only a few drops are necessary - depending on the area of coverage). Full instructions are included with the Formula.
The formula will typically alleviate the discomfort caused by any swelling right away while any other symptoms will be reduced slowly each day and continue to improve.
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.