Spider Veins Symptoms & Diagnosis

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small, dilated blood vessels that appear close to the surface of the skin. They often resemble spider webs or tree branches and are commonly found on the legs, although they can occur in other areas as well. Spider veins occur when blood pools inside the smallest veins near the surface of the skin. They are clusters of red, blue, or purple veins. It is a very common vein issue and is estimated to affect up to half of the population, with a more common occurrence in women.

Spider Vein Symptoms

 

• Visible, thin lines on the skin’s surface
• Discomfort or pain
• Minor bleeding
• Burning sensation
• Swelling or inflammation
• Skin thinning, dryness, or itching

 

Spider veins are usually harmless and don’t cause any significant medical issues, but they can be a cosmetic concern for some individuals. Here are some common symptoms associated with spider veins:

1. Visible, thin, red, blue, or purple veins: Spider veins are characterized by their appearance as small, twisted blood vessels visible through the skin. They often have a branching or web-like pattern.

2. Pain or discomfort: In many cases, spider veins don’t cause any pain or discomfort. However, some individuals may experience mild itching, burning, or aching around the affected area. Discomfort may increase after prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

3. Swelling or heaviness: Spider veins can be accompanied by a sensation of swelling or heaviness in the legs, especially after extended periods of standing or sitting. This symptom is more common when spider veins occur in conjunction with varicose veins.

4. Skin changes: Over time, spider veins may lead to changes in the skin around the affected area. This can include skin thinning, dryness, itching, and a slightly darker or reddish appearance.

5. Bleeding: Although rare, spider veins can occasionally rupture or bleed if they are injured or irritated. The bleeding is typically minor and stops on its own, but medical attention should be sought if it persists or if there is excessive bleeding.

6. Burning: Some individuals may experience a burning sensation in the area where spider veins are present. This burning sensation is often described as a discomfort or heat sensation that may be intermittent or persistent. It can be exacerbated by prolonged standing or sitting, warm temperatures, or pressure on the affected area.

It’s important to note that spider veins are different from varicose veins, which are larger, swollen, and often raised blood vessels that may cause more significant symptoms such as pain, muscle cramps, and aching.

How Are Spider Veins Diagnosed?

The basic diagnosis of spider veins is easy. You can see them. This, however, is as in-depth as some offices evaluate. The issue with this type of evaluation is that treatment of the surface “spider” vein, without proper treatment of the deeper “feeder” veins, will lead to the formation of a new type of spider vein, called matting. This type of surface vein usually take 3-6 months to form, leaving you wondering why you went through the trouble of having your spider veins treated in the first place. This is why we evaluate all of our patients with ultrasound. We want to build a game plan that addresses your feeder veins as well as visible spider veins. Once we make a diagnosis, we will answer any questions you have and come up with a treatment plan for moving forward. Our goal is to get you symptom-free.

Our Office Locations

We have served the greater-Milwaukee area and beyond since 2004. We welcome patients from all over Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and beyond. We have two clinic locations: