Spider veins appear in small clusters on the thighs, ankles, and calves. They usually look like small clusters of purple, red, or blue veins. Numerous factors cause spider veins such as:

• Hormonal shifts
• Pregnancy
• Heredity
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Weight fluctuations

Typically, spider veins are harmless, but some individuals may feel aching, burning, or pain at the site. If you experience discomfort or you simply do not like the appearance of the spider veins, then you do have treatment options which are:

Sclerotherapy

A physician will inject into the small veins a solution that causes scarring to occur. The scars effectively close the veins so that the body reroutes the blood through healthier veins. The treated spider veins start to fade away within a few weeks. In extreme cases, the area might need a second treatment. Sclerotherapy can be performed in a physician’s office without anesthesia. As the area heals, you may experience itching or swelling.

Laser surgery

With laser surgery, a physician sends laser bursts of light into the vein to slowly fade the area. After undergoing laser surgery, many individuals experience itching, swelling, bruising, redness, or skin tone changes.

After laser surgery or sclerotherapy, spider veins take several months to fade away. In many individuals, new spider veins can develop in the same location.