What usually causes spider veins? Can crossing your legs give you spider veins?
There are several causes for spider veins
| Ronald Shelton, MD |
Any build up of pressure can induce spider veins.
- Blockage from above by bad valves in the deep system of veins
- Crossing legs
- Standing immobile for long periods
- Impact, including, running
...can all produce spider veins. Other factors are inheritance and hormones (including the elevation of estrogens in pregnancy).
First answer1 of 2 people found the following answer helpful:
Spider veins on the legs are caused by leak valves
| Michael Sinclair, MD |
When you walk, the muscles that are contracting in your legs "pump" the blood back to your heart. With each squeeze, the blood gets pushed by a one way valve that is supposed to keep the blood from flowing backwards.
For lots of reasons (pregnancy, weight gain, genetics, etc.) the valves become leaky, which allows the blood to flow backwards. The pressure of the blood flowing backwards causes the veins to engorge. The engorged veins can sprout little veins that grow towards the skin. When these veins get near the skin, these veins start to grow, even small veins that grow sideways, underneath the skin. It is these sideways veins that you can easily see as red, blue and purple squiggles that we call spider veins.
Spider vein removal questions & answers
Find a doctor
Permalink: http://www.realself.com/question/spider-veins
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.

