Many people are unhappy and frustrated with their veins today, but they’re not quite sure what type of veins they have or why they developed. Both varicose veins and spider veins are quite common today, and the differences can be recognized visually if you know what to look for.
What do Varicose Veins Look Like?
Varicose veins are larger veins that are usually blue, blue-purple, red, or sometimes flesh colored. Many people compare varicose veins to ropes that are twisted, knotted, and bulging against the skin. Varicose veins tend to appear in the legs, particularly the thighs, calves, or inner leg area.
What do Spider Veins Look Like?
Spider veins are considerably smaller than varicose veins, but they may occur in larger amounts. This type of vein is quite close to the skin, and they don’t bulge out from the skin the way that varicose veins do. Spider veins are purple, red, or blue, and they can be quite prominent due to their bright color. Many patients say that spider veins remind them of cobwebs or of the branches of a tree. This type of vein develops in many different areas, but is most common in the leg area.
What Can You do About Varicose or Spider Veins?
Whether its varicose veins or spider veins, there are effective treatments available. Some of the treatment options for varicose veins include microphlebectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and sclerotherapy. Spider veins are most often treated with either sclerotherapy or a combination of sclerotherapy and laser therapy.
Your L.A. Vein Center doctor will work with you to determine which type of therapy is the best for treating your spider veins or varicose veins. All of these treatments are highly effective and minimally invasive, and they give excellent results for most patients who suffer from veins today.