Spider veins often appear as a person ages and during pregnancy. A milder form of varicose veins, spider veins often appear on the back of the legs as well as on the feet, according to MayoClinic.com. As a person ages, veins lose elasticity and blood may flow back into a vein. During pregnancy, increased blood and circulation changes cause some women to develop spider and varicose veins. The blue or dark purple veins look similar to tiny tree branches or spider webs, suggests the National Institutes of Health. Self-care methods may initially treat mild forms of spider veins before the condition progresses.
Step 1
Wear compression stockings during the day. Understand there are three types of compression wear for your legs. Support stockings or pantyhose provide the least amount of pressure. The pressure remains the same throughout the stocking, and is not focused on one specific area. Medical supply stores and pharmacies sell gradient panty house. Gradient hose provide more pressure than support stockings. According to the National Institutes of Health, prescription gradient pantyhose or stockings offer the greatest amount of pressure. The organization states a special fitting by a person trained in compression stockings is required.
Step 2
Discuss with your medical professional the type of medical treatments available. Sclerotherapy involves fluid being injected into the spider vein, causing the vein to stick together, and eventually, disappear. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the treatment is inexpensive and performed on an outpatient basis. Consider photoderm or laser surgery; the doctor focuses an intense pulsating light on the spider veins, causing the veins to slowly fade. Laser and photoderm treatments are non-invasive, meaning they do not involve needles or incisions, reports MayoClinic.com.
Step 3
Participate in preventative lifestyle changes. Practicing a variety of self-care techniques may prevent spider veins from growing larger. Exercise your legs to increase blood flow and circulation, according to MayoClinic.com. The medical clinic also suggests losing weight to decrease the amount of unnecessary pressure on your leg’s veins. Do not wear tight clothing or high heels. Avoid standing on your legs for long periods. Raise your legs as often as possible to decrease lower leg pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- Spider veins cause slight itching or burning. The National Institutes of Health states that wearing compression stockings is the most important method of preventive treatment to avoid new spider or varicose veins from forming. Varicose or spider veins developed during pregnancy generally disappear within three months of treatment; treatment is often not necessary.
- Notify your medical professional if open wounds or sores develop on or around the spider vein. If feet or ankles swell severely, a medical exam may be necessary, advises the Cleveland Clinic.
Things You'll Need
- Support panty hose
- Gradient stockings
- Prescription compression hose
