Spider veins

Definition of spider veins

Spider veins are a type of mini convulsive vein that is found on the surface of the skin and is mostly found on the inner thighs.
They are not dangerous in themselves, but they can be an indication of a deep vein disease. Usually, however, they only pose a cosmetic problem and do not require any treatment.

Veins are the vessels that carry blood back to the heart. To do this, they have to build up a lot of pressure in order to be able to transport the blood against gravity. This is hard work, because of the approx. six Liters of blood that we have in our body are approx. 80% in our veins. So almost five liters of blood constantly want to return to our heart. So that the blood does not flow in the veins with gravity, pressure is built up in the veins. Plus there are those Venous valvesthat only open in one direction, preventing the blood from flowing back.

causes

If the venous valves do not work, it comes to traffic jam and Reflux of blood. The congestion in the veins leads to high pressure in the vessels and thereby the elasticity of the vessels is broken. The veins will wider and are called red-blue Structures visible in the skin. Thus, spider veins can be an indication of a Valvular venous disease his and also precursor from Varicose veins be.
However, the most common cause of spider veins is one congenital weakness connective tissue, which is usually nothing to worry about. In itself, spider veins are usually only a cosmetic problem and therefore do not need to be treated.
Before treatment, however, it should always be clarified why spider veins developed. To do this, the entire venous system, which consists of superficial and deep veins, must be examined. With a Ultrasound examination the doctor can rule out whether it is a Varicose veins, Major vein insufficiency or one chronic venous insufficiency acts. This investigation is complete painless and feasible within a few minutes. If none of these diseases can be detected, the spider veins can be removed without hesitation. However, if one of the above diseases is found, the treatment of the disease should first be the focus before dealing with the spider veins.
Spider veins can desolate be or with Laser therapy be treated, please consult your doctor.
However, there is no 100% success rate with any spider vein treatment.

therapy

Generally speaking, spider veins no disease value have and not away Need to become. Therefore it is mostly cosmetic reasonsthat lead to the decision to remove spider veins. Statutory health insurance pays the costs usually not. Various procedures are available, most of which are carried out on an outpatient basis in several sessions:

1. Sclerosing / sclerotherapy:
   In which Desolation process the doctor injects one alcoholic agent, Saline solution or Polidocanol (also called foam) in the spider veins, resulting in a Inflammation in the vessel leads. Thereby stick the vessel walls together with each other and the expanded vein goes to and is dismantled. The session takes about 30 minutes. However, after this method it is necessary to have one Compression stocking to wear. It can too Pain and burning come at the puncture site. After this procedure, skin discoloration may occur, especially brown spots or scars described. To about 2-3 months the spider veins should no longer be visible, as the vessel is converted into fibrous tissue and thus shrinks.
2. Laser method:
   The laser method is one good alternative with few complications for removing spider veins. she is also even with very small spider veins applicable. Mostly it is not painful and depending on the size of the Vessel in several sessions. Before use, the Skin mostly chilledto protect the skin from the laser. The laser creates a Clotting of the blood generated in the desired vessel, which ultimately results in a Damage to the vessel with shrinkage leads. So the vessel becomes from the body itself rebuilt and dismantled. After this treatment is a Compression therapy of the leg unnecessary. Tattooed areas of the skin must not be treated with the laser. Even with this variant it can be brown skin changes come. Itching and reddening of the skin are also observed.
3. Cauterization:
   Cautery is a operational procedure, in which means Heat or cold or chemical agents cause tissue destruction. This will make the Vein occluded and perish.
4. Leech Therapy:
   In the Naturopathy are also used for leeches Therapy of spider veins used.

Remove spider veins

Since spider veins have no disease value, the health insurers usually do not pay for their removal.

If the removal is nevertheless desired, the spider veins can be removed using Desolate or Laser therapy be treated. These procedures are mainly carried out by vein specialists, the phlebologists.

The Desolation, which is also called sclerotherapy, is used more for larger spider veins.
The aim is to close the enlarged vein so that it no longer takes part in the transport of blood.
After a while the body breaks down the now useless vessel. The closure is achieved via the Injecting an alcohol solution directly into the vein, causing the Vein wall very irritated will and then stuck together by the inflammatory reaction.
The process is only slightly painful, but the puncture site can turn brown and support stockings must be worn for a few days. Sometimes small scars remain.

The Laser treatment is a very elegant method with few side effects, especially if the spider veins are very small.
The laser is guided over the affected areas in several sessions. They take red blood cells the laser energy and perish. Secondarily, the vascular wall is damaged and the expanded vascular system is broken down by the body.

However, it is possible that the spider veins will not fade completely with the laser treatment. Sometimes a combined therapy with desolation necessary.
Following a laser treatment, the skin area can reddened and more prone to infection be. In rare cases, the lasered skin loses its pigment and stands out as a bright spot in the future.
It is not necessary to wear compression stockings here.

Both procedures are carried out on an outpatient basis. Usually there are several 15-30 minute sessions necessary.

There are numerous creams in pharmacies and retail outlets that advertise the improvement of spider veins. They contain for example Vitamin K. As a sole therapy they are usually not sufficient, but as a supplement they can be used to relieve the veins after consultation with the treating doctor.

In the field of naturopathy, leeches are used to treat spider veins. However, there are no reliable findings about their effectiveness.

Cream against spider veins

There are Creams with natural ingredientsthat are supposed to help with spider veins. This includes creams with the Active ingredients from the horse chestnut, made from butcher's broom and red vine leaves. The creams promote blood circulation and thereby prevent the Stagnation of blood in the veins. They also have one vein strengthening effect and work vessel sealing. As a result, less fluid should be able to pass from the vessel into the surrounding tissue and so is one decongestant (anti-edematous) effect described. This is how your legs should look too less dificult feel.

Of the Horse chestnut extract (Aesculus hippocastanum) contains the active ingredient Aescin. This should anti-inflammatory work and the Promote the flow properties of the bloodso that a Decreased swelling becomes. The effect of horse chestnut extract was confirmed in a study. The effect included one Reduction of the leg circumference. Application can cause side effects like Stomach discomfort or with local application on the skin to itching to lead.

Of the Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) belongs to the Asparagus plants. Its active ingredient Ruscogenine become decongestant, vein stabilizing and anti-inflammatory properties awarded. Naturopathy therefore also recommends the use of butcher's broom to accompany the therapy of chronic venous insufficiency, but also of heavy and swollen legs.

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) should be in red vine leaves with active ingredients like the Flavonoids also for Vein sealing contribute and reduce inflammation. It is therefore also an alternative to use on spider veins.

Synthetic ointments include only those effective components of natural substances. In addition, there is often a high proportion of Vitamin K1 contain. Improvements become more frequent only after weeks described, a complete removal of already existing spider veins is not to be expected with creams alone. Hence, such creams can be used in addition to other therapy options use and work rather not sufficient as the sole method. In particular, in the case of pronounced spider veins or chronic venous insufficiency, should other measures Find application.

Prevent

Spider veins pose alone not a bad illness represent, predominantly stand cosmetic reasons in the foreground. But you can first indication of diseases like chronic venous insufficiency. Often they are through Connective tissue weaknesses who are predominantly predisposed. How to get rid of spider veins often not prevent it completely, but there is still something that can be done about it.

Spider veins are most likely to get through normal weight, sufficient exercise and a healthy balanced diet prevent. Are there sports how swim, Walking, To go for a walk and Cycle all conducive. Treading water or taking a cold shower in the morning from the bottom up (from the feet towards the thighs) can also support the veins in the blood flow.

Favorable for the development of spider veins are a heavy alcohol consumption and food rich in sugar and fat.
Likewise is Smoke bad for the blood vessels, which can also show up in the veins. Other causes can also Liver metabolism disorders be.
Hormonal disorders or hormone therapies like hormone replacement therapy or the birth control pills, the Estrogens get, weaken the vein wall and can cause the Vein worn out and grows fat.

Especially in the pregnancy due to the increased blood volume Compression therapies with compression stockings are recommended to reduce or prevent these and other effects.

In addition, can a lot of standing and sitting (especially with kinked legs) strain the veins, so it is recommended again and again Incorporate muscle exercises into the course of the day or take a few steps.
Here you can Foot circles or other exercises that do the Calf muscles activate, help. Raising your legs also supports venous return to the heart. You can do your feet too higher than the rest of the body and also do this at night (e.g. lay up on a pillow).

On long journeys on the train / bus / car or plane where Not possible to walk around is will be wearing Compression stockings recommended to aid blood reflux. By Heart failure (Heart failure) can also be a Congestion in the veins arise because the heart cannot expel blood sufficiently.

Spider veins on the face

The classic spider veins, as we know them especially on the legs, are primarily concerned with venous problem back.

The fine spider web-like drawings on the face are called Telangiectasia denotes and are based on one Expansion of the capillariesupstream of the veins.
A synonym for telangiectasia on the face is the Couperose.

Mostly it is their creation plant-related, anchored in the genes, but numerous factors have an influence. This includes:

• Age,
• long-term sun exposure,
• longstanding Taking cortisone,
• alcoholism with the associated liver disorder.

However, they can also be an expression of a disease. A well-known disease associated with the appearance of telangiectasia is that Rosacea.
This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skinassociated with redness, itching, burning, pustules and inflammation of the eyes. Due to the inflammation, the vessels react hypersensitively and expand.

Another group of diseases with telangiectasia are Autoimmune diseases or the so-called Collagenoses again Lupus erythematosus. Pathological immune complexes cause, among other things, vascular inflammation, which in this case leads to the expansion of the capillaries.

In the vast majority of cases, however, the enlarged veins on the face are harmless nature and not signs of a serious illness. Treatment is therefore not absolutely necessary.

If the enlarged capillaries are very annoying, you can use them laser let remove (see also: Laser spider veins). As a rule, these costs have to be borne by yourself, since the health insurance companies do not cover the correction of the aesthetic flaws.