Condition
Spider Veins
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins can also be called thread veins, venous flares or telangiectasia. Their appearance is quite distinctive and are identified through their red or purple colouring, and thin strand-like look. The veins can appear on any part of the face or body, with the commonly affected areas being the legs and feet. Spider veins can develop singularly or may form part of a cluster, which has contributed to their name and their resemblance to a web-like structure.
What are the causes?
The visibility of spider veins is attributed to their closeness to the skin’s surface, compared with other veins in the body. They are essentially caused when the blood vessels experience stress and become damaged. Blood usually flows in one direction. However when these vessels become damaged or weak, a small amount of blood can flow backwards and develop a pool in the vein. This is common for people who spend a lot of time sitting or standing, are overweight or are pregnant. Sun exposure, changes in hormone levels, injuries and ageing can be other causes for this concern.
Spider veins on the face are a common symptom of rosacea, and inflammation to the skin is often what has damaged or weakened the underlying structure.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins can also be called thread veins, venous flares or telangiectasia. Their appearance is quite distinctive and are identified through their red or purple colouring, and thin strand-like look. The veins can appear on any part of the face or body, with the commonly affected areas being the legs and feet. Spider veins can develop singularly or may form part of a cluster, which has contributed to their name and their resemblance to a web-like structure.
What are the causes?
The visibility of spider veins is attributed to their closeness to the skin’s surface, compared with other veins in the body. They are essentially caused when the blood vessels experience stress and become damaged. Blood usually flows in one direction. However when these vessels become damaged or weak, a small amount of blood can flow backwards and develop a pool in the vein. This is common for people who spend a lot of time sitting or standing, are overweight or are pregnant. Sun exposure, changes in hormone levels, injuries and ageing can be other causes for this concern.
Spider veins on the face are a common symptom of rosacea, and inflammation to the skin is often what has damaged or weakened the underlying structure.
