Spider Veins

on the Leg

About Spider Veins

Spider veins can appear when blood collects in the vein instead of being pumped directly to the heart. Spider veins are smaller and are often red or blue in color. They can look like a tree branch or spider web with their short jagged lines. They are most commonly found on the legs or face. Spider veins are more common in women than men.

Spider Vein Treatment

Spider veins are most often treated with one of several non-surgical treatments. The most common treatment is called Sclerotherapy, where a solution is injected into the vein that seals it shut. The vein then turns into scar tissue, and color and inflammation of the vein usually fade in a few weeks. There is a new type of this therapy being used called microsclerotherapy which uses specialized solutions and injection techniques. Some doctors use an electrical current rather than injections to seal the vein; this is called Electrodesiccation. Finally, laser surgery is sometimes used, especially on the face. In this treatment, strong bursts of light are sent into the vein, causing it to slowly fade and disappear.