If you have spider veins, you know it. Spider veins (varicose veins little cousin) are tiny capillaries that look like blue or red squiggles either radiating out from a central point, branching out and upwards like a tree, or appearing in thin wavy lines. They usually make their unwanted appearance on our thighs, calves and ankles.
Lots of women have the condition. In fact its estimated that half of us are walking around with spider veins. Even though most of the time, the only bother is cosmetic, spider veins can also cause aching, heaviness, itching and night cramps, especially if the underlying cause are larger varicose veins.
The factors that contribute to spider veins are heredity, pregnancy, hormonal factors and weight gain. In some women, spider veins make their appearance while theyre still in their early twenties but for most, the veins dont come out until the forties.
The good news is that there is treatment for this condition. Sclerotherapy is a procedure that can be done in a doctors office. The veins are injected with a solution that makes the spider veins collapse and eventually fade away. Each visit normally takes only 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how many spider veins are treated. However, it may take a few sessions before you see the benefits.
