Spider Veins in Legs & Varicose Veins Treatment [ Causes, Symptoms]

Quick answer: Spider Veins Legs Varicose Veins affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Spider Veins in Legs & Varicose Veins Treatment [Causes & Symptoms]

🦶Do you have varicose vein pain & spider veins pain? We review how to get rid of varicose veins & how to get rid of spider veins!🦶

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la9MrZJuG-M

Spider Veins in Legs Treatment & Varicose Veins Treatment  Video Summary:

🦶Do you have varicose vein pain & spider veins pain? We review how to get rid of varicose veins & how to get rid of spider veins!🦶

This video will detail spider vein removal and varicose vein removal in the legs. We also discuss the difference between varicose veins v.s spider veins.

0:00 What Causes Varicose Veins & spider veins on legs
0:50 What is the Cause of varicose veins
1:40 Varicose vein treatment & spider veins treatment
2:00 Surgery to treat varicose veins
2:50 What are varicose veins
3:10 varicose veins symptoms & are varicose veins painful?
3:25 varicose veins in legs complications
3:45 Early stage varicose veins symptoms & are varicose veins dangerous?
4:20 Blood clots in lungs
4:40 causes of varicose veins
6:05 How to prevent varicose veins
6:30 Cause of varicose veins
7:15 Varicose veins pregnancy
7:50 Compression socks for varicose veins
8:20 compression stockings for varicose veins
9:00 Best Varicose vein stockings
10:30 Podiatrist prescription for varicose veins
11:10 Varicose veins prevention
11:50 Blood clots in legs
12:50 Varicose vein surgery types & varicose vein medical procedure
13:40 Best Shoes
16:00 Best Slippers
16:55 Best Orthotics
17:50 How to buy shoes
19:10 Massage devices
21:10 Fasting
22:00 Exercises
22:40 Causes of varicose veins
23:20 Stretches
24:00 Varicose vein pain Relief
24:28 Massage Sticks

Varicose Veins & Spider Veins in Legs Pictures:

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged twisted veins. Varicose veins can happen anywhere in the body but are more common in the legs.

Varicose veins are not considered a serious medical condition. But, they can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious problems. And, because they may be very noticeable, they may cause people to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins, a milder type of varicose veins, are smaller than varicose veins and often look like a sunburst or “spider web.” They are red or blue and are commonly found on the face and legs, just under the skin.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins. Varicose veins happen in the veins near the surface of the skin (superficial).

The blood moves towards the heart by one-way valves in the veins. Blood can collect in the veins when the valves become weakened or damaged. This causes the veins to become enlarged. Sitting or standing for long periods can cause blood to pool in the leg veins, increasing the pressure. The veins can stretch from the increased pressure. This may weaken the walls of the veins and damage the valves.

What are the risk factors for varicose veins?

Varicose veins may be more common in some families (inherited). Increased pressure in the veins may cause varicose veins. Factors that may increase pressure include:

• Overweight or obese.
• Older age.
• Being female.
• Being inactive.
• Leg injury.
• Pregnancy.
• Smoking.
• Taking oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition with blood clots in the deep veins. This condition does not usually happen with varicose veins. That is because varicose veins affect the veins close to the skin’s surface. However, with severe varicose veins, there is a small chance of developing blood clots in the deep veins. Symptoms of blood clots include pain, swelling, and leg redness. Blood clots may also happen in the arms or other body parts. Blood clots need medical care right away. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that may mean a blood clot.

A piece of a blood clot may break off and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A blood clot in the lungs is very serious and may cause death. Symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing (may cough up blood), a fast heartbeat, sweating, and fainting. If you have symptoms that may mean a blood clot in the lungs, call 911 or get emergency help.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

The following are the most common symptoms of varicose veins. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Color changes in the skin.
• Sores on the legs.
• Rash.
• Sensations in the legs, such as a heavy feeling, burning, and/or aching.
• Severe varicose veins may eventually produce long-term mild swelling, resulting in more serious skin and tissue problems. These include ulcers and nonhealing sores.
• The symptoms of varicose veins may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How are varicose veins diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic procedures for varicose veins may include:

Duplex ultrasound: A type of vascular ultrasound is done to check blood flow and the structure of the leg veins. Duplex means two types of ultrasound are used.

What is the treatment for varicose veins? Specific treatment for varicose veins will be determined by your healthcare provider based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• The extent of the condition
• Your signs and symptoms
• Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the condition
• Your opinion or preference
• Medical treatment may not be necessary if there are no symptoms. However, varicose veins may sometimes worsen without treatment.

Varicose vein & spider vein treatment may include:

Elevation of the legs. Elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms if you have mild to moderate varicose veins. You may be instructed to improve your feet above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. Flexing (bending) your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating if you need to sit or stand for a long period.

Compression stockings. These elastic stockings squeeze the veins and prevent blood from pooling. Compression stockings can be effective if they are worn every day.

Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for both spider and varicose veins. A salt (saline) or chemical solution is injected into the varicose veins. They no longer carry blood. And other veins take over.

Thermal ablation. Lasers or radiofrequency energy may be used to treat varicose veins. A tiny fiber is inserted into a varicose vein through a catheter. The laser or radiofrequency energy is used to deliver heat that destroys the wall of the varicose vein.

Vein stripping. This is surgery to remove varicose veins.

Microphlebectomy. Special tools inserted through small cuts (incisions) remove varicose veins. It may be done alone or with vein stripping.

What are the complications of varicose veins?

Varicose veins are usually not serious. But complications may happen.

They include:

• Inflammation or swelling of veins (phlebitis)
• Blood clots
• Can varicose veins be prevented?
  Steps to prevent varicose veins include:
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Putting your feet up while sitting
• Not crossing your legs while sitting
• Not wearing tight clothing

How podiatrists & foot doctors treat leg veins:

Treatment options range from self-care to minor surgery. A podiatrist may use one or more of these treatments:

Self-care: Your podiatrist can give you tips to improve your circulation. These tips include:

• Exercise
• Elevate your legs
• Sit for long periods? Get up and walk around every 30 minutes
• Stand for long periods? Take a break every 30 minutes
• Avoid soaking in hot baths for long periods
• Self-care tips can help prevent new varicose and spider veins but cannot get rid of existing ones.

Compression stockings:

These stockings apply steady pressure to help move the blood back to your heart. The steady pressure also lessens swelling in your lower legs and reduces the risk of getting a blood clot. You’ll still have visible leg veins, though.

If you need compression stockings, a podiatrist can examine you to get the proper size and pressure.

Sclerotherapy:

• This is the most common treatment for leg veins. Today, podiatrists use it to treat spider and small varicose veins. Over the years, podiatrists have improved sclerotherapy to make it safer and give patients better results.
• A podiatrist can inject a chemical into the spider or varicose vein, irritating the vein’s wall. If you have sclerotherapy, this is what happens during treatment:
• Different areas of the vein are injected. After the injections, your podiatrist may massage the area.
• A compression stocking is then placed on each leg.
• You will be observed for a time and then be able to go home.
• To help prevent possible side effects, you must take daily walks and wear compression stockings as directed. Most patients wear compression stockings for 2 to 3 weeks.
• You can return to work and most activities the next day.
• Sclerotherapy causes the walls of the vein to stick together, so the blood cannot flow through it anymore. This improves circulation in the treated leg and reduces swelling.
• Spider veins usually disappear in 3 to 6 weeks. Varicose veins take 3 to 4 months.
• To get the best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments. A podiatrist can perform these treatments during an office visit. No anesthesia is needed.

Laser treatments:

• Podiatrists use lasers to treat spider and small varicose veins. During laser treatment, your podiatrist directs the laser light at the vein.
• Laser light can destroy the vein without damaging your skin.

Leg vein light treatment:

• Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment. Larger spider and varicose veins will darken, and you’ll likely see them for 1 to 3 months before they disappear. To get complete clearing, you may need three or more treatments.
• Most patients can return to work and many of their normal activities the next day.
• After each treatment, some patients need to wear compression stockings for a short time.
• Protecting your skin from the sun year-round helps to prevent new spider veins and skin cancer. Every patient must protect the treated area from the sun for 3 to 4 weeks. This helps prevent dark spots from developing.

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA):

• EVLT and RFA are newer treatments. They often replace the need to surgically remove a vein.
• Both treatments work inside the vein to destroy it. Podiatrists use EVLT to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. RFA is used to treat large varicose veins.
• This is what happens during these treatments:
• You receive local anesthesia, which numbs the area to be treated. The anesthesia also causes the area to swell.
• Your podiatrist then makes a small incision and inserts a laser fiber (for EVLT) or catheter (for RFA) into the vein.
• Your podiatrist activates the laser or radiofrequency device, which heats the vein, causing it to collapse and seal shut. The heat does not harm the surrounding area.
• After treatment, a compression stocking will be placed on each leg.
• You are observed for a time and then able to go home.
• To help prevent possible side effects, you must take daily walks and wear compression stockings as directed. Most patients wear compression stockings for 1 to 2 weeks.
• You can return to work and most activities the next day.
• The treated vein takes about one year to disappear with EVLT and RFA. To get the best results, you may need more than one treatment.

Physical exam essential before treatment:

• A physical exam helps your podiatrist decide if leg vein treatment is safe for you. During the physical exam, your foot doctor will look closely at your leg veins and ask about your medical history.
• Non-invasive tests that look at the veins in your legs may also be necessary. A Doppler ultrasound will show the blood flow in your leg veins. Plethysmography uses a blood pressure cuff to measure changes in blood volume, which can help find problems like abnormal blood flow.
• After reviewing the information, your foot doctor can tell you if leg vein treatment is right for you and which treatment would be most effective. Sometimes, more than one treatment will be recommended to give you the best results and reduce side effects.
• If treatment is recommended, ask whether insurance will cover it. You’ll likely have to pay if treatment is performed only to improve the look of your legs.

Do compression socks help with varicose veins & spider veins video?

https://youtu.be/uBqlYt0vT3s

What do compression socks do video summary:

🦶What Do Compression Socks Do? We review how to fix Swollen Feet, Swollen Ankles & Swollen Legs! This Means Varicose Veins, Spider Veins, Edema, Lymphedema & Swelling!🦶

Use Compression Socks & Compression Stockings to fix foot and ankle swelling!

Related Videos:
Varicose Veins & Spider Veins: https://youtu.be/la9MrZJuG-M
Numbness, Burning & Tingling in Legs: https://youtu.be/Pdp9HLH9Gsg
Blood Clots: https://youtu.be/n9mk86ItNr4
Lymphedema: https://youtu.be/w4T4nZptZaQ

Chapters:
0:00 Compression Socks & Compression Stockings
0:30 What are compression socks?
1:10 What are compression socks used for?
2:50 How do compression socks work?
3:15 Compression socks for varicose veins & spider veins
3:40 Are compression socks good for you & do they work?
4:00 Best Shoes & Best Orthotics
4:45 When to wear compression socks
5:20 Why wear compression socks for lymphedema
6:20 Spider veins & varicose veins
6:45 do compression socks help plantar fasciitis
7:20 Blood clots
7:58 can you wear compression socks to bed
8:10 how long should you wear compression socks
8:40 Why do my legs ache after wearing compression socks
9:30 can compression socks be too tight
11:05 Foot and Ankle Swelling Pumps
12:20 Swollen Feet

👉– Shoes –👈
Our Recommended Shoes:
https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/podiatrist-recommended-shoes/

Our Recommended Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/recommended-foot-doctor-products///

📢See a Podiatrist!📢See a podiatrist if you have a specific foot, ankle, or health problem. This information is NOT specific to your medical problem.

If in Michigan, consider seeing us at our clinic: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/
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This is opinion only:
For the viewer or reader: Do not consider this video a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not allow this information to let you disregard your professional’s medical advice or delay seeking information from this content. We strongly urge you to contact your physician with any questions regarding your medical condition. If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately or see your physician. Do not rely on information provided by this general education video.

Healthcare practitioners: The content here is for education purposes only. The authors have done their best to provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based information, but this content should not be considered any type of medical standard. It does not reflect individual practices in other geographic areas.

This is strictly for medical education purposes only, and it is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. The information in these videos is the author’s opinion and is not an official opinion of any organizations that the authors may be a part of. The authors or speakers are not associated with any of the above products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot and ankle conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

More questions patients ask

What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?

Spider veins (telangiectasias) are tiny dilated capillaries and venules visible through the skin as red, blue, or purple web-like patterns, typically less than 1 mm in diameter. They are primarily cosmetic concerns. Varicose veins are larger (>3 mm), dilated, tortuous veins — often visibly bulging above the skin surface, usually on the back of the calves and thighs. Varicose veins result from incompetent venous valves allowing blood backflow and pooling. Both can cause symptoms (aching, heaviness, itching), but varicose veins are more associated with significant venous insufficiency, DVT risk, and foot complications. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208), we evaluate vein-related foot conditions — call (810) 206-1402.

What causes spider veins on the legs?

Spider veins develop from: weakened capillary walls (hereditary predisposition is the strongest risk factor), hormonal changes (pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy — estrogen weakens vessel walls), prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, advancing age, sun damage (facial spider veins), previous blood clots, and trauma. About 80–90% of spider veins cases have a family history. Women are 2–3 times more affected than men, largely due to hormonal factors. While mostly cosmetic, extensive spider veins in the lower legs may indicate underlying venous insufficiency. Balance Foot & Ankle evaluates lower extremity venous health — call (810) 206-1402.

Can spider veins on legs cause foot pain or swelling?

Spider veins alone rarely cause significant foot symptoms — they are primarily cosmetic. However, when spider veins are accompanied by underlying venous insufficiency (incompetent larger veins), patients may experience: ankle and foot swelling at end of day, aching and heaviness in the legs, itching over affected areas, skin discoloration, and in advanced cases, venous ulcers at the ankle. Foot and ankle symptoms in the presence of spider veins warrant evaluation for underlying venous insufficiency. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we perform venous assessment for lower extremity symptoms including ankle/foot edema and skin changes — call (810) 206-1402.

What are the most effective treatments for spider veins on legs?

Most effective spider vein treatments: sclerotherapy (injection of a sclerosant solution into the vein, causing it to collapse and fade — gold standard, 75–90% improvement per session), surface laser therapy (Nd:YAG or intense pulsed light for very fine vessels and those not accessible to needle), and radiofrequency ablation for larger feeding veins. Multiple sessions are typically needed. Results are not permanent — new spider veins may develop due to the underlying tendency. Compression stockings slow formation of new veins. Balance Foot & Ankle can refer patients to vascular specialists and can address the foot and ankle complications of venous disease — call (810) 206-1402.

How can I prevent spider veins and varicose veins from getting worse?

Spider vein and varicose vein prevention and progression strategies: compression stockings (most effective conservative measure), regular walking and calf exercises (strengthens venous pump), maintaining healthy weight (reduces venous pressure), elevating legs above heart level daily, avoiding prolonged standing or sitting without movement, protecting skin from sun damage (face), avoiding tight clothing that restricts circulation, and horse chestnut seed extract (aescin 150 mg twice daily — evidence for reducing venous insufficiency symptoms). No measure permanently prevents new spider veins from forming, but these strategies significantly slow progression. Balance Foot & Ankle, serving Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI, manages venous foot complications — call (810) 206-1402.

What causes spider veins in feet and legs?

Spider veins (telangiectasias) are dilated small superficial blood vessels. Causes: genetics (most common), pregnancy, prolonged standing, hormonal changes, weight gain, aging, chronic venous insufficiency, hormone therapy. They appear as red, blue, or purple webs near the skin surface. Common locations: ankles, calves, behind knees. Usually cosmetic concern, not dangerous.

How do you treat varicose veins in feet?

Treatment options: 1) Compression stockings (15-30 mmHg). 2) Sclerotherapy (injection causes vein closure, $300-500 per session). 3) Endovenous laser/radiofrequency ablation ($3,000-5,000 covered by insurance for varicose veins). 4) Foam sclerotherapy. 5) Vein stripping (rarely needed today). For chronic venous insufficiency with skin changes: insurance often covers.

Are spider veins dangerous?

Most spider veins are cosmetic concern only — not dangerous. Concerning features: rapidly enlarging, painful, hard, red, warm (could indicate superficial thrombophlebitis or DVT), associated with skin changes (hyperpigmentation, eczema, ulceration — chronic venous insufficiency). Get vascular evaluation if these features. Most isolated spider veins are safe to leave or treat cosmetically.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.