Spider And Varicose Veins

Louisiana Heart and Vascular

Interventional Cardiologists & Internal Medicine located in Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, Franklinton, and Slidell, LA

Spider veins and varicose veins cause unsightly discoloration, swelling, and pain in the legs of millions of Americans. Spider veins can also appear on the face, making you feel self-conscious and less than beautiful. At Louisiana Heart and Vascular with offices in Covington and Mandeville, Louisiana, board-certified interventional cardiologist Farhad Aduli, MD, provides effective treatment to relieve the cosmetic and physical problems that spider and varicose veins cause. Call today for an appointment to have your veins evaluated or use the online tool to book your visit.

Spider and Varicose Veins Q & A

What are spider and varicose veins?

Spider and varicose veins are discolored veins that cause cosmetic concerns and, sometimes, pain and discomfort.

Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that usually develop in the legs. They may appear purplish or reddish, look puffy, and cause leg heaviness and pain. They’re caused when the blood vessels in your legs become weak or when faulty vein valves fail to prevent blood from pooling in your lower extremities.

Spider veins are smaller, twisted lines that appear purple, red, or blue. Often they form patterns that look like a spider web. Spider veins affect your smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, and can appear on your face or legs.

What symptoms do spider and varicose veins cause?

Spider and varicose veins cause ugly discoloration and swelling. In addition, you may experience:

Pain, aching, and cramping in the legs
Leg fatigue and heaviness
Restless legs and leg throbbing
Tingling and itching

Women often find the symptoms of spider and varicose veins worsen due to hormones during certain times in the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.

Left untreated, varicose veins can cause the surrounding skin to darken and even burst, resulting in painful ulcers. Varicose veins can sometimes spur the development of a painful clot that can cause serious complications and even death.

Why do I have spider and varicose veins?

Spider veins and varicose veins develop due to a number of factors, including:

Genetics
Hormonal effects of pregnancy, puberty, and menopause
Weight gain
Venous insufficiency or a personal health history of blood clots
Birth control pills or postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy

People who stand a lot at their jobs, like teachers or hairstylists, are also more vulnerable to developing spider and varicose veins.

Women are more likely to develop varicose and spider veins than men. Your risk of these veins forming also increases as you age.

How are spider and varicose veins treated?

The providers at Louisiana Heart and Vascular use compression stockings, sclerotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation to heal your spider and varicose veins.

Compression stockings help improve circulation and are a simple way to end the heaviness and swelling associated with varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into spider veins and small varicose veins. The solution causes them to close off and be absorbed into your system. Your body redirects blood flow to healthier veins.

Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to seal off larger, more stubborn varicose veins.

Your provider assesses your veins’ condition to determine which treatment or treatments are best for you.

Call Louisiana Heart and Vascular today or use the online booking tool to have your spider and varicose veins evaluated.

What we offer