Varicose Or Spider Veins: What’s The Difference?

What is the difference between having varicose veins and having spider veins on your legs? Both conditions are unattractive. They make people self-conscious enough to opt for pants rather than shorts, dresses, or skirts, even on warm days. Both are caused by the same medical issue, but one is potentially more harmful than the other.

As we know from high school biology, the heart pumps blood throughout our bodies. Arteries bring fresh oxygenated blood to our cells. Veins pick up the carbon dioxide-filled blood from the cells and bring it back to the heart to be purified by our lungs. Blood vessels contain little one-way valves that keep the blood moving in the right direction. Sometimes these valves are weakened, from age or from venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease allows the blood to flow back into the veins causing a back-up, and leading to clogging. Because of congestion from the blood flowing backwards, the vein becomes enlarged. It is more visible under the skin and, in the case of a varicose vein, pops up above the skin.

Varicose veins are the more concerning complication of venous reflux disease. The veins become so distended that they can protrude beyond the surface of the skin by as much as several millimeters. These diseased veins become tangled and knotted, resulting in pain, throbbing, muscle cramps; even fatigue. The most serious cases can lead to leg ulcers, blood clots, and potentially life-endangering complications. There are a few treatments for varicose veins. The most effective is vein stripping, where the diseased vein is surgically removed.

Spider veins are the less threatening of the two conditions. Spider veins are thin surface veins that undergo a change in appearance, turning either blue or red, due to venous reflux. This situation is more of a cosmetic blemish than a health issue. Spider veins can be treated by undergoing sclerotherapy, laser vein treatments, or using a special cream.

Consult with your physician if you have spider veins or varicose veins, to find out which treatment option is best for you.

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