Varicose & Spider Veins

Varicose veins are very common, especially in women and in older adults. They often run in families.

• Spider veins: small, flat, red, blue or purple lines, often on the legs or face.
• Varicose veins: larger, raised, rope-like veins, usually on the calves or inner legs.
• Varicose veins with symptoms or skin changes: aching, swelling, darkened skin or sores. This is a sign of chronic venous insufficiency (see our guide on that).

• Family history of vein problems
• Getting older
• Being female, and hormone changes (pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause)
• Pregnancy, which adds pressure on leg veins
• Standing or sitting for long periods
• Being overweight
• A past blood clot in the leg

• Bulging, twisted veins you can see, often blue or dark purple
• Small web-like red or purple lines (spider veins)
• Heavy, achy or tired legs, often worse at the end of the day
• Swelling around the ankles
• Itching, burning or throbbing over the veins
• Leg cramps at night
• Darkened, thick or dry skin near the ankles, or a sore that won't heal (signs of more advanced vein disease)
• At your visit, your provider looks at your legs while you stand, feels the veins, checks for swelling, skin color changes and sores, and checks the pulses in your feet.

Most varicose and spider veins are diagnosed by looking at your legs and asking about your symptoms.

If you have symptoms, swelling or skin changes, or if treatment is planned, a venous duplex ultrasound checks how blood flows in the veins and looks for blood clots. We don't do imaging at our office; we refer you to a vascular clinic or imaging center and review the results with you.

Treatment depends on your symptoms and goals. Your plan may include:

• Walking and calf exercises to help push blood up the legs.
• Raising your legs above heart level when resting.
• Avoiding long periods of standing or sitting still.
• Compression stockings to ease aching and swelling.
• Weight loss, if needed.
• Procedures by a vein specialist for veins that cause symptoms, such as sclerotherapy (an injection that closes the vein), laser or radiofrequency treatment, or vein removal. Treatment for spider veins alone is often considered cosmetic and may not be covered by insurance.

Varicose veins don't usually go away on their own, and new ones can form over time. Healthy habits and compression can ease symptoms.

Procedures can close or remove problem veins, but they don't stop new veins from forming. Results vary from person to person.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical checks your veins and legs, helps you choose and get fitted compression, and refers you to a vascular clinic for ultrasound or vein treatment when needed.

If you have skin changes or a sore, Royal Wound Care, part of Moaddel Medical, specializes in chronic, non-healing wounds.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.