“Do spider veins get worse?”
Do spider veins turn into varicose veins?
17 Answers
Generally, spider veins don't turn INTO varicose veins, but you could certainly have both spider AND varicose veins.
Generally spider veins and true varicose veins are completely different. Spider veins are usually only cosmetic concerns and can be treated with sclerotherapy or laser treatments. Varicose veins are more indicative of true Venus insufficiency that may or may not require intervention.
Dr. David Feldbaum
Vascular Surgeon
Yes. Spider veins generally are the result of incompetent valves of the veins in the legs. When the valves are not closing properly the veins develop pressure which gets worse with time causing varicose veins.
David M Feldbaum MD FACS RPVI
David M Feldbaum MD FACS RPVI
Spider veins can certainly get worse over time and are a result of underlying poor circulation in the veins of the leg.
The little spiders veins will not become varicose veins... But they are frequently associated with varicose veins in many patients.
No they usually stay as sach
In essence a spider vein is a varicose vein. The only difference is that these veins started off at a nearly microscopic level before they enlarged.
No.
They do not become spider vines but do continue to develop over time
No. Spider veins are in the skin. They can not become true varicose veins. Spider veins can be present without large varicose veins, but, they can be also be caused by underlying varicose veins
Yes, spider veins can get worse over time.
Ramandeep Sidhu, MD, FACS, RPVI
Ramandeep Sidhu, MD, FACS, RPVI
Venous insufficiency is graded clinically on a scale of 1-6:
1. spider veins
2. varicose veins
3. leg swelling
4. lipodermatosclerosis (skin discoloration/thickening around the ankles and above)
5. healed ulcer
6. active ulcer
Usually, to get a 4 and higher, you have incompetent deep veins (not just the superficial veins)
1. spider veins
2. varicose veins
3. leg swelling
4. lipodermatosclerosis (skin discoloration/thickening around the ankles and above)
5. healed ulcer
6. active ulcer
Usually, to get a 4 and higher, you have incompetent deep veins (not just the superficial veins)
In general, spider veins and all other varicose veins worsen throughout life. The spider veins don’t necessarily grow in diameter, but they do recruit other adjacent veins.
No, they are different
Spider veins can get worse, they don't turn into varicose veins.
Spider veins do get worse in number and area involved. They rarely turn into small diameter varicose veins.
Spider veins are small, superficial branches that become dilated due to increased venous pressure. If there is venous insufficiency in the larger veins under the skin, the pressure can cause the smaller surface veins to get larger and more noticeable. These veins can worsen over time if the underlying insufficiency is not treated. Spider veins can become raised and puffy but do not become large varicose veins. Injection sclerotherapy is often recommended for spider veins although a thorough evaluation should be completed before treatment is determined.
