Spider veins and varicose veins both are disorders related to the vein but are different in nature. Apparently, there are numerous differences between the two disorders. Let’s know more about these veins and how they differ from each other.
DEFINITION
Spider Veins – As the name suggests, these veins are web like veins, small and wispy and are located on the skin surface. The diameter is usually less than one millimeter and is red or purple in color. They appear on the surface in clusters or nests and resemble a bruise.
Varicose Veins – These veins are blue in color and are placede under the skin as a bulge as they are larger in size compared to spider veins. Like spider veins, even these veins are visible.
CAUSES
Spider Veins – Spider veins are caused due to genetic issues and sometimes due to obesity or hormonal changes as well as prolonged standing or sitting.
Varicose Veins – When the valves don’t function properly, it leads to varicose veins. The function of valves normally is to allow the blood flow from the leg to the direction of the heart. But in case of varicose veins the blood flow is backward to the leg, thus increasing the pressure on the vein, elongating them and causing them to change their shape into a curve or a twist.
ARISING ISSUES
Spider Veins – They veins do not cause any problems other and a few appearance issues. There are no visible symptoms as well. So the treatment is centered around improving the looks.
Varicose Veins – A person suffering from varicose veins might experience pressure, pain, and heaviness. It might also cause fatigue, jittery legs and itching at times. When there is malfunctioning of veins deep inside the leg, it could lead to swelling due to vein insufficiency.
TREATMENT
Spider Veins – Spider veins are only treated for improving the looks or appearance otherwise not other treatment is required generally.
Varicose Veins – To treat varicose veins techniques that are minimally invasive are usually used. The treatments include sclerotherapy, faulty vein ablation, and excision or mini phlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy – An injection that consists of a dilute solution is injected into the veins for shutting them down. It is generally used for the treatment of smaller veins but can be used at the time for larger ones as well.
Endovenous Ablation – This process is a minimally invasive procedure and does not remove all the faulty veins through traditional surgery like in the past but the objective of the treatment is to ablate or block the faulty veins.
Phlebectomy – This procedure is also another minimally invasive procedure and involves using a little scalpel or needle to remove the varicose veins that are located just below the leg surface.