Five Myths About Spider and Varicose Veins

Spider veins are tiny, thread-like red, purple or blue blood vessels that can occur in patches on the legs and face. Caused by irregular blood flow, spider veins are smaller and more delicate than varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged veins that often look like cords and are bulging and twisted. They may be flesh-colored, dark purple or blue in appearance. Varicose veins are often swollen and raised above the skin. The most common location for varicose veins is the legs.

Both of these vein disorders are common. In fact, more than half of Americans over age 50 have them. While they can be painful, and often times people find them unsightly and inconvenient, there are things you can do to prevent and treat venous disease. However, there are also myths floating around about these varicosities. Here are seven myths and the truth behind them.

Myth: Wearing sunscreen prevents spider veins.
Truth: While spider veins have been linked to sun exposure, they can still develop even if the exposure is limited. Wearing sunscreen has not been tested and proven to reduce or prevent spider veins. However, you should always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to help prevent premature aging and skin cancer!

Myth: Crossing your leg causes varicose veins. 
Truth: Unfortunately, varicose veins are often times unavoidable (the largest risk factor is genetics), but outside factors can play a part in their formation. However, crossing your legs is not one of them. These veins result from an inherent problem within the veins themselves, and while crossing your legs or standing for extended periods of time may aggravate or provoke an existing problem, it will not cause varicose veins to form.

Myth: Spider and varicose veins happen only to women.
Truth: While it’s true that women are more likely than men to get spider veins, men get them, too! In fact, studies show that 60 percent of all men will have some sort of vein disorder at some point in their life — and 45 percent of that is tied to either spider or varicose veins (compared to 55 percent in women).

Myth: Varicose veins are always visible above the skin.
Truth: People often times find out they have varicose veins when they push to the surface of the skin and appear as bulging, bluish cords. But these veins also occur where you can’t see them — deeper in the body. If you have a lot of fatty tissue between the muscle and the skin, it’s possible you may not see them. If you feel fatigue, throbbing, restlessness or cramping in your leg muscles, get checked just in case.

Myth: Recovery from varicose or spider vein treatment is difficult and lengthy.
Truth: This is very far from the truth! MercyOne Iowa Heart Vein Center offers new treatments that are not always invasive and have quicker recovery times. Procedures can be performed in office, and patients can resume normal activities with little to no down time. Learn more.