Spider veins? Oh, yeah, those are those ugly, purple, webby veins that only grandmas get on their legs. They’re strictly for old people. And men don’t get them, so since I’m a guy, I don’t have to worry about getting spider veins. I know my mom has them, but since spider veins aren’t genetic, that means my sister doesn’t have to worry about getting them either. These are just a few of the myths about spider veins that have been successfully debunked with the advancement of medical science. Only old people get them; they only show up on the legs; they’re not passed down from one generation to another, etc., etc. So, what’s the truth about spider veins – those thin, red-blue, webbed lines that appear on the surface of the skin? Can younger people get spider veins? What about men? Can men get spider veins? With all the untruths and half truths floating around about spider veins, vein centers in New Jersey say … it’s time to set the record straight.
1) Only older people get spider veins
Yes, it is true that spider veins affect older folks than younger, because as we age, our veins lose elasticity. However, that doesn’t mean that young or middle-aged people can’t get them. Spider veins can also develop as a result of obesity, hormonal changes, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods of time, and even heredity.
2) Only women get spider veins
Again, though it is true that spider veins don’t afflict men as often as they do women, it’s also true that men can develop them as well. Yes, hormonal changes that occur from such things as pregnancy, menopause, or hormone replacement therapy are a risk factor for developing spider veins, but that doesn’t mean that men can’t get them. If you’re a man who is significantly overweight, has a job that requires him to stand or sit for long periods of time, lives a sedentary lifestyle, or has a blood family member who has spider veins, your risk of getting them is higher.
3) Spider veins are completely preventable
Though there are steps people can take to prevent spider veins, such as getting regular exercise, following a nutritious diet, and even wearing support hose, there are situations where spider veins can develop regardless of preventive measures taken. For instance, spider veins can occur as a result of an accident, especially if it concerns the legs or circulatory system.
4) Spider veins aren’t genetic
Just as with most other health conditions, if you have a blood relative, especially a parent, who has or had spider veins, your risk is greater. In this case, it’s important to take preventive steps to avoid developing them, including such measures as regular exercise in order to promote optimal blood flow through veins.
5) Spider veins are dangerous to your health
Spider veins are rarely a health risk. Though they aren’t attractive, they don’t pose a risk to most people who have them. However, if your spider veins become painful or cause other symptoms such as difficulty walking, contact your physician or a vein treatment center immediately.
6) Spider veins only develop on the legs
Though spider veins typically show up on the legs because of gravity and the pressure that legs take from standing, they can develop in other areas of the body that contain veins, such as on the face around the nose, cheeks, or chin.
7) Spider veins aren’t treatable
This is perhaps the biggest myth of all about spider veins. The fact about spider veins is that they are highly treatable, especially with recent advances in medical science. Compression stockings can help prevent spider veins, and they can help to promote optimal blood circulation. For elimination of spider veins, vein treatment centers have methods of treating them, including such virtually painless and effective treatments as Sclerotherapy and Endovenous laser therapy, or EVLT. Contact a vein treatment center for more information on today’s safe and effective methods of treating and eliminating spider veins.
Yes, spider veins are those ugly, purple, webby veins that people, young and old, can get on their legs, and on their faces, chins, cheeks, and other areas. Yes, if your mom had them, your sister is at a greater risk for getting them, and so are you, even if you’re a guy. However, though they aren’t always 100 percent preventable, there are things you can do to minimize your risk of developing spider veins. Proper nutrition, a regular exercise routine, avoiding standing or sitting for long periods without moving around to get the blood flowing, wearing compression socks, elevating your legs, and avoiding wearing high heels for long periods of time … these are all helpful ways to ward off spider veins. Contact a vein treatment center for more information on spider veins and other venous skin conditions.
