Spider veins are a milder form of varicose veins -- enlarged blood vessels that may be visible from the surface of the skin. Spider veins usually look like a network or "spiderweb" of small red or blue lines on the skin and usually occur on the hands, feet, legs or face. Smaller and less serious than varicose veins, spider veins can still pose cosmetic concerns, especially if you have a lot of them or you have them on your face. Exercise cannot make existing spider veins disappear, but it can help you avoid getting them in the first place and help prevent the spider veins you already have from getting worse.
Exercise and Spider Veins
According to the National Women's Health Information Center, exercise can't eliminate existing spider veins, but it can protect you from getting new ones and ease any discomfort such as itching and burning caused by the spider veins you already have. Regular exercise prevents and slows the development of spider veins by improving your circulation and increasing the strength of your veins. Losing weight with exercise can also relieve excess pressure on the legs that can lead to spider veins. In particular, exercises that focus on the legs such as walking or running are good for preventing and slowing the development of spider veins. However, not all spider veins can be prevented, particularly not those caused by hormonal changes, age or injury.
Other Lifestyle Measures
In addition to exercise, you can also take other lifestyle measures to help guard against spider veins. Some of these include wearing sunscreen to limit spider veins on the face and following a healthful diet that is low in salt and high in fiber. If you are prone to developing spider veins in your legs, taking the following self-care measures may help promote better circulation in the legs and thus prevent the creation of spider veins: avoid sitting, standing or wearing high heels for long periods of time; elevate your legs while at rest; and don't cross your legs when you sit.
Sclerotherapy
While regular exercise and lifestyle adjustments can sometimes help prevent new spider veins from forming, a doctor can perform certain medical procedures to eliminate the spider veins you already have. The most common medical procedure for spider veins and varicose veins is sclerotherapy. With this treatment, a doctor uses a needle to inject a chemical into the spider vein which causes the vein walls to seal shut, stopping the flow of blood. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. This treatment is not particularly painful or invasive and you can return to normal activity immediately after treatment. With sclerotherapy, the same vein may need to be treated more than once. However, this treatment is very effective when done correctly.
Surface Laser Treatments
In some cases, surface laser treatments can effectively treat spider veins. This therapy uses a laser that sends intense bursts of light through the skin onto the vein which causes the vein to slowly fade and disappear. However, this treatment is not recommended for all types of skin and it can be painful due to the heat from the laser. Treatments last for 15 to 20 minutes, and two to five treatments are generally required to remove spider veins in the legs. Possible side effects include redness or swelling at the site of the treatment which may last up to several days after the procedure; discolored skin for up to two months after the procedure; and, rarely, burns and scars from an improperly performed laser treatment.
