What are Spider Veins?

• Spider veins are tiny superficial varicose veins that tend to occur in clusters. They can be in many patterns from simple lines to a starburst pattern. They can also be fine red veins and slightly larger blue veins.
• Spider veins are extremely common in women and rare in men. They are related to estrogen levels and pregnancies.
• Generally speaking, spider veins are not symptomatic but are substantially unsightly. Occasionally a spider complex with a deeper feeder vein can cause symptoms. In that case, treatment may be covered by insurance.

How do I treat spider veins?

• As with varicose veins, multiple tools are useful in the treatment
  of spider veins.
• If a clearly defined, deeper “feeder” vein is associated with a spider complex, it may need to be treated initially with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a painless injection of a solution that clots off the vein. After a feeder vein is resolved, the spider veins can be treated more successfully.
• Spider veins can be very successfully treated with the combination of YAG laser and IPL (intense pulsed light). Both modalities are available at Southern Idaho Comprehensive Vein Care Center.