Spirit of Women magazine is a national publication presented to women by hospitals and their physicians. The magazine provides up-to-date, evidence-based healthcare information and promotes our hospitals as leaders in women's health excellence.
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25 Looking Good Fine lines For starters, all leg lines are not created equal. Spider veins are small and narrow (think of a spider's legs) and can be seen under the skin, but they're not bumpy and don't protrude. These kinds of veins are generally harmless. "Almost all—99 percent—of spider veins are only a cosmetic issue," says Dr. Ronald Bush, a Florida dermatologist. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are thicker and bulge out because they're formed when a vein has blood pooling in one area. In most cases varicose veins aren't dangerous, according to research from New York University School of Medicine, but sometimes they can be a (very visible) sign of more serious vascular health issues. And in rare cases, varicose veins can lead to complications such as nearby ulcers, blood clots or bleeding problems. Disappearing acts To help prevent spider or varicose veins and ease any discomfort, start by lacing up your walking shoes. Working out gets the blood moving, and moving blood is good for your veins. It doesn't have to be a hard-core workout: Anything that boosts the circulation is good, such as swimming or walking. For spider veins and smaller varicose veins, lifestyle changes such as kicking By Margaret Littman Get a leg up on What causes varicose veins A number of things can cause those unsightly blue lines, but crossing your legs while sitting is not one of them—that's just legend. Genetics plays a part, as does being overweight, not getting enough exercise, sitting too long (such as at a desk job), standing too long (such as at a job where you might stand but not move much), and smoking. The University of Rochester Medical School estimates that by age 60, 40 percent of men and 70 percent of women have spider or varicose veins. Pregnancy can also cause veins to appear, but unlike the spider and varicose veins due to heredity, these likely will go away within three months to a year, says Dr. Greg Martin, author of "Say Goodbye to Spider & Varicose Veins Now!" (Plentiful Publishing, 2011). the smoking habit and losing weight can be helpful, in addition to exercise. If you want to take a more proactive stance, your doctor will likely begin with compression stockings. These elastic undergarments constrict the legs so the blood doesn't flow backwards. Research is mixed on whether compression stockings definitively aid vascular issues, but they do reduce foot and ankle swelling and can therefore relieve discomfort. You can also opt to cover dark veins with leg makeup, similar to foundation products for your face. Outpatient options If you have varicose veins that require more aggressive treatment, you and your physician can discuss a number of effective therapies that can be done on an outpatient basis: • Vein ablation injects tiny electrodes into the vein, heating the walls and destroying the tissue. • Laser treatment starts a similar process, injecting light into the veins, which leads to fading without needles. • Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into your veins that can cause the deep blue color to fade over the course of several weeks. Do you sometimes think your legs could pass for a road map? If those visible blue lines crisscrossing your skin make you feel self-conscious about wearing shorts and skirts, or they're physically uncomfortable, it's time to get informed and take action. varicose veins