What Are the Key Differences Between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Have you come across network of veins in your body or seen it on someone else and thought that they are either varicose veins or spider veins? Well, these two terms are often used interchangeably, but refer to two completely different disorders. While spider veins are a more common and more mild type of varicose veins, the other one causes excruciating pain and discomfort. The following pointers will help differentiate the key differences between the two:

What are the Common Spider Veins Symptoms?

Spider veins also go by the term “telangiectasias” in the medical circuit. These are clusters of blood vessels that grow near the skin’s surface. You can easily spot them in the legs and in the face, where they form blue, red and purple hues in a twisted shape. It is easy to see them because they are almost next to the skin’s outer surface. Apart from this, the symptoms of this condition include but are not limited to the following:

            ·        Itching sensation 

·        Swelling in the area affected 

·        Throbbing 

·        Burning sensation

·        Aching

·        Tingling sensation

·        Cramping

·        Feeling of Heaviness

This condition is either caused by venous insufficiency, wherein the vein valves become erroneous and leads to the swelling in the area and a change in the skin’s appearance, or by hormones shift, exposure to sun rays or injuries. 

What are the Common Varicose Veins Symptoms?

A sizeable number of the adult population suffer from varicose veins, which are larger in size as compared to spider veins. When it comes to the appearance, they look the same but are way more swollen due to several bulging and twisted blood vessels. These can appear almost anywhere in the body, but are more commonly found in the legs.

The common symptoms of varicose veins are:

• Aches and cramps
• Feeling of lethargy
• Burning sensation
• Feeling heavy
• Swelling
• Throbbing sensation
• Restlessness
• Tingling sensation
• Ulcers
• Skin becomes dark

Some people are genetically predisposed to this condition, with women more likely to develop it. For instance, women who are experiencing a change in their hormones, especially during pregnancy or during menopause/in the middle of a menstrual cycle, will find that the symptoms have aggravated. Obesity, predisposition to blood clots, skin trauma and vein surgery are some more reasons that can cause this condition.

 If not treated in due time, it can also lead to a painful blood clot known as thrombophlebitis, which can increase the vein inflammations further.

Conclusion

These are some of the key differences between spider veins and varicose veins. We hope that now that you have a better idea about these two, you can consult a physician who’s expert in varicose and spider vein treatment in San Antonio and elsewhere. Need more such write-ups that let you take better care of your health? Keep a tab on this space as we will be back with more.