Why Do I Have Spider Veins?

Living with unsightly spider veins is an unfortunate reality for many of us. If you wonder why you might be part of the unfortunate group, take a look at the questions below. Your answers may give you some insight as to why you have them.

While we’d love to tell you that there is one, single (and preventable) factor behind spider veins, they often develop due to a variety of factors. Here are the most common:

1. Do spider veins run in your family? If you answered yes, then you are more than likely going to have them too. Genetic tendencies are the reason behind many of our physical traits and health problems. In the case of spider veins, this single factor is probably the strongest predictor of whether you’ll develop them. And you can thank dear old Mom for this one! It turns out that a maternal history of spider veins is the most important predictor of whether you will have them.

2. Do you smoke? Smoking isn’t just about the “buzz” from the nicotine. Every time you take a puff, you’re affecting your circulation by forcing your body to respond to a lowered level of oxygen. These changes can trigger and accelerate the formation of spider veins in your legs.

3. Do you take daily medications? Certain medications may make you more prone to developing spider veins. Especially hormone replacement and/or birth control pills.

4. Do you sit or stand for prolonged periods of time? This one may be you can modify. Prolonged sitting or standing places added stress on your veins in your legs which can trigger spider veins or make them worse. Changing position frequently and moving more can help fight this. If you stand or sit for your job, consider wearing compression socks or hose to help your leg veins do their job better.

5. Are you experiencing hormonal changes? Pregnancy and menopause can trigger a host of hormonal changes that may cause spider veins. There is research that supports the notion that hormonal changes can cause veins in your legs to lose some elasticity which may influence them to weaken and dilate.

Some of these factors you may be able to modify – others not so much! The take away here is to understand that it’s not just dumb luck that you have spider veins. And there are several factors that mix to cause them.

Regardless of how you got these unsightly veins, Class IV medical lasers and sclerotherapy can be used to successfully treat spider veins. These treatments may be just what’s needed to take your legs out of hiding.

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