Spider veins on the legs - causes and treatment

The appearance of spider veins on the legs is an unpleasant phenomenon, which is mainly encountered by the fair sex. Not many people know that the violet-reddish network of injured capillaries indicates any disturbances in the functioning of the body. Often this peculiar “pattern” is a signal of the development of a rather serious disease - varicose veins.

As already mentioned, women are more prone to the formation of spider veins. This is due to the fact that their skin is thinner and more sensitive, so when the capillaries swell, they are more noticeable. No need to try to hide this unaesthetic phenomenon under a layer of foundation. It is necessary to undergo a full examination and carry out appropriate treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

Veins, arteries and capillaries in a normal, non-injured state are not noticeable, which cannot be said of spider veins. They can be identified by the following signs:

• the pattern of vessels has a bright color (bright pink, red, violet-blue);
• clearly visible through the skin;
• the pattern is smooth, not raised above the surface of the skin;
• when pressed against it, it turns pale;
• does not pass after a certain period of time;
• able to change color (darkens due to trauma to the capillary and venous blood).

The formation of stars, as a rule, is not accompanied by any uncomfortable or painful sensations.

The most common place of localization is the wings of the nose, cheeks, legs.

The causes of the formation of spider veins on the legs

This phenomenon has a medical name - “telangiectasia”. It is dangerous because damaged capillaries suffer from the inside, there is a reduction in the passage between their walls, and a deterioration in blood circulation. What is a vascular network? This phenomenon indicates that the small vessels are deformed and the skin has lost its tone. There are many factors that can trigger capillary damage and impaired blood flow. However, the main ones are:

1. Weakening of connective tissue. This condition is often due to heredity. If the woman’s mother suffered from varicose veins, then most likely she herself will encounter such a phenomenon as damage to the capillaries, if certain preventive measures are not followed.
2. Age-related changes, as a result of which the vascular tone decreases, they become less elastic.
3. Impaired functioning of the endocrine system. A change in the level of hormones can occur during the bearing of a child, after an artificial termination of pregnancy or childbirth, as well as during menopause. In addition, the influence is exerted by the use of oral contraceptives, certain medications, long exposure to direct sunlight, and frequent trips to the solarium. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, thinning of blood vessels occurs, resulting in their fragility and tendency to damage. Blood flow worsens, bloating appears in some areas.
4. Venous diseases - varicose veins, rosacea.
5. Gynecological, endocrine and heart diseases, pathologies of the liver and digestive organs, diseases of the circulatory system.
6. Keeping an insufficiently mobile lifestyle.
7. Increased load on the limbs due to the characteristics of the profession.
8. Overweight, obesity.
9. Often wearing high-heeled shoes.
10. Injury to the skin after frostbite or some cosmetic procedures, for example, deep peeling.

Diagnostic Methods

The purpose of the diagnosis is to determine which disease triggered the appearance of spider veins. For this, the following events are held:

1. Data collection from the patient - the doctor listens to complaints, finds out the features of his lifestyle, heredity and the presence of provoking factors that can cause the development of such a phenomenon.
2. General and biochemical analysis of blood, which determines the amount of sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride in the blood, as well as the level of blood cells.
3. Pressure measurement during the day and an electrocardiogram.
4. Doppler of the vessels of the legs (to determine the condition of the venous walls and valves).
5. Ultrasound examination (to determine the speed of blood movement and vascular patency).

In some cases, the doctor prescribes other diagnostic procedures (endoscopic examination, x-rays of internal organs, biopsy of skin lesions, etc.).

Treatment of spider veins: general rules

The success of the treatment will depend on how timely it was started. It is better to do this in the early stages of the development of the disease. Any available methods are suitable: therapy with local means, the use of drugs that improve blood flow, cosmetic procedures, folk remedies, lifestyle and nutritional correction, and increased mobility.

So, what should be done when detecting a vascular network on the limbs? First of all, visit a specialist phlebologist. The doctor specializes in vascular diseases. All tests should be submitted, the necessary examinations should be carried out, you may have to consult a vascular surgeon. While treatment is being carried out and for some time after its completion, it is necessary to follow all the doctor's prescriptions.

Drug therapy

When the phlebologist conducts an examination, he will prescribe special local preparations to the patient, which make the vessels more elastic, relieve swelling and heaviness in the limbs. Among the gels and ointments from vascular asterisks presented in pharmacies there are both time-tested and modern drugs. Most often, the following are assigned:

• Troxevasin;
• Troxerutin;
• Lyoton;
• Heparin ointment;
• Menovazine;
• Dimexide solution;
• balm for varicose veins "Siberian Health".

Method of use
It is necessary to treat the problem place and the intact skin three times a day. Such drugs will not be able to completely solve this problem, however, they will prevent subsequent vasodilatation, eliminate severity and pain in the limbs, give them freshness, and improve the tone of capillaries.

In addition, tablets in the form of tablets have a similar effect:

• Curantyl;
• Vazaprostan;
• Lacipil;
• Ascorutin and others.

Treatment with folk remedies

The disease, especially at an early stage of development, is successfully treated with the help of traditional medicine. However, the use of formulations prepared at home is possible only after the coordination of this issue with the doctor.

Important! Alternative recipes should not be used as monotherapy. They should only complement the use of drugs, the use of local agents to treat the affected area. Only with an integrated approach will treatment help restore vascular health.

Effective remedies

1. Calendula and chamomile. From these medicinal plants, baths or compresses are prepared. 2 tablespoons of raw materials should be put in a container, pour a liter of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 60 minutes, then strain.To make a compress, you need to take gauze, moisten it in the infusion and attach it to the affected area. For the bath, you need to prepare a product from two liters of water and an appropriate amount of raw materials. The finished infusion in a warm form is poured into a basin in which you should lower your legs and keep there for half an hour.
2. Melissa and linden. Using these components, a bath is made that will help relieve burning and itching. Three tablespoons of plants are taken, one and a half liters of boiling water is added, infused for half an hour. In parallel, a decoction of valerian root is made at the rate of 2 tablespoons of raw materials per liter of water, boil for ten minutes. Then both compounds are mixed and cooled to a comfortable temperature. The procedure should last at least 30 minutes.
3. Coniferous baths. A wonderful composition that gives freshness to tired limbs. The therapeutic agent helps strengthen capillaries and veins, nourishes the skin, causes the death of harmful microorganisms on the surface of the skin. For cooking, you need pine needles, you need to combine two liters of boiling water and two glasses of raw materials. Insists a quarter of an hour. Feet descend into the bath for 30-40 minutes.
4. Oak and daisy. An infusion is prepared from chamomile flowers (2 tablespoons) and a liter of boiling water (infusion time - 1 hour), as well as a decoction of the same amount of water and oak bark, which must be boiled for 15 minutes. Both compounds are mixed, a foot bath is made, which tones and relieves leg fatigue.
5. Apple vinegar. A simple and effective procedure helps get rid of spider veins. It is necessary to treat the affected area with the product three times a day. The duration of the course of therapy is one month.

Beauty treatments

You can get rid of an unattractive pattern of swollen capillaries with the help of modern procedures offered by hardware cosmetology. They are carried out in cosmetology centers. Before proceeding to such treatment, it is imperative to undergo an examination and find out about possible contraindications. The specialist will select the most suitable method for a particular patient. The most effective methods with which you can get rid of spider veins on the limbs are the following procedures:

1. Microsclerotherapy. The duration of the procedure is 60 minutes. The specialist introduces a special agent into the injured vessels of the patient with a very thin needle that eliminates clogging. The result is the disappearance of the vascular network, the restoration of blood circulation. However, if the patient has very thin capillaries, such treatment cannot be carried out.
2. Electrocoagulation In this case, a special device that produces high-frequency currents is used for treatment. By acting on the vascular walls, they cause the destruction of proteins, open the passage for the outflow of blood. The advantages of the technique include the fact that the skin is not injured - there are no scars, marks, scars. It can also be used for patients who have thin capillaries.
3. Laser treatment. A laser with high power helps to improve the state of blood vessels, penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin. After the procedure, there are no visible traces or damage. To prevent burns, a special cooling cryogenerator is used. Two sessions are conducted, the interval between which is 60 days.

Prevention

It will be difficult to ensure 100% protection against the formation of spider veins on the legs. Changing lifestyle is not always possible, especially when it comes to the nature of the work. However, you should try to follow some recommendations for maintaining healthy vessels:

• Less heavy objects.
• Refuse to wear tight shoes and high-heeled shoes.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink freshly squeezed juices.
• Include greens, dairy products, bran in the diet.
• If there are extra pounds - take measures to reduce weight.

So, although spider veins are a rather unpleasant problem, it is quite treatable. The main thing is to contact a phlebologist in a timely manner. With an integrated approach, treatment will quickly bring the desired effect.

Video: recipe for varicose veins and asterisks on legs