What Causes Spider Veins?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Channing R. Barnett, MD
Question viewed 4,258 times
Tags: causes, spider veins

What usually causes spider veins? Can crossing your legs give you spider veins?

6 answers to What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider Veins - Purely Cosmetic ?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that bulge through the skin and may appear as blue or purple knot-like cords. Varicose veins can occur anywhere in the body, but are more commonly found in the lower extremities. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias are smaller than varicose veins and often look like a sunburst or "spider web." They are red or blue in color and are commonly found on the face and legs. The most important consideration for a patient is to recognize whether... more

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
Buffalo General Surgeon

There are several causes for spider veins

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).

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Spider Veins, Causes and Treatments

Spider veins are small enlarged superficial blood vessels that appear at the skin surface as red or blue. Spider veins commonly occur on the legs. These dilated blood vessels may be short, unconnected hair-like lines, or connected in a "sunburst" pattern. Sometimes, spider veins occur in a small area and aren't very noticeable. Other times, they can cover a large area of skin and be very unattractive. Larger dilated blood vessels (called reticular veins) may appear blue or green... more

Channing R. Barnett, MD
New York Dermatologist

Causes of spider veins

The root cause of spider veins are genetic factors involving poor circulation. Those that have spider veins generally have a genetic predisposition to have a less than perfect valve structure in the primary leg veins. As we age, the valves that prevent the backflow of blood (away from the heart) can deteriorate, causing a buildup of blood in the lower legs. When this happens, pressure increases at the extremities and spider veins (or varicose veins) can develop. There are other non-genetic... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Exclude venous problems

Spider veins are small superficial veins that are detected in different body areas. Our patients seek different line of treatments for these veins from laser to light therapy etc.. When we discover these veins on the lower extremity, more clinical exam is needed to exclude deep venous problems e.g incompetent valves or deep system involvement.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Small vessels

Spider veins are small superficial blood vessels that appear purple, red or blue just underneath the skin. They commonly appear on the legs, but occasionally also on the face. These dilated blood vessels may look like a spider web or tree with the branches. They can occur in a small area, or cover a large area of the skin and be very unattractive. Patients often seek treatment for spider veins because of cosmetic concerns. Spider veins can be caused by venous insufficiency. Additional... more

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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