Spider veins are small, blood-filled vessels that appear on your skin. They are sometimes harmless although they can be irritating. Spider veins may be more noticeable to some people than others. If you want to reduce the visibility of your spider veins, Ariel Soffer MD, FACC health specialist, can help.

What are the symptoms of spider veins?

Muscle cramping: Spider veins are often associated with muscle cramping and pain. This is due to the fact that the vein has a taut, rope-like appearance, which can lead to swelling and bruising of the surrounding muscles when you flex them. A possible cause of this may be varicose veins, a condition in which abnormal blood vessels in your legs cause blood to pool and become abnormally thick or stiff.

Pain: Pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced by people with spider veins. This may be mild or severe, depending on the size and location of the vein. The pain can be felt at various sites on your body, including your legs, arms, hands and face. The pain usually occurs when you press on the area or exercise. It may also feel like a bruise.

Swelling and tenderness: Spider veins may swell and become tender when you press on them or exercise, especially after lying down for a long time or after exercising for long periods. You may also feel a burning sensation in your veins as they fill up with blood, making you feel hot or itchy inside your arms and legs or around your chest or back muscles. The redness in the area may last from 1 to 3 days before fading away.

How to reduce spider veins

Apply warm compresses

Applying warm compresses can help reduce the appearance of spider veins. To apply a warm compress, use a hot water bottle or heating pad for about 15 minutes twice a day for up to three days. You should avoid using a topical treatment on your skin during this time since it will worsen things if you do.

Apply ice packs

Applying an ice pack to your affected areas can also help reduce the appearance of spider veins, as long as you do not apply it for too long or apply it directly on top of the affected area, which can cause frostbite. You can usually leave an ice pack on for 30 minutes before removing it, so it doesn’t get too cold or burn your skin. The best way to treat these conditions is with lifestyle and diet changes.

Shed extra weight

The key step in treating spider veins is to lose weight. The more you weigh, the more pressure there is on your veins, which can lead to spider veins. Shedding excess pounds has been shown to help prevent and even reverse the appearance of spider veins.

While spider veins may not be aesthetically pleasing, there are a few things you can do to avoid having them. Ensure you first understand what causes them in the first place. Soffer Health Institute experts will help you better understand why they occur and how to avoid them.