Many women have spider veins or telangiectasia. These are small superficial red-blue veins on the surface of the skin. They often begin as isolated veins but as new ones develop may coalesce together to form larger groups. The exact cause is not clear but they are often hereditary. So if you mom had them you may too.
They are more common in marathon runners and weight lifters, especially when they lift heavier weights.
Pregnancy is another common cause. The increased pressure of the baby in the pelvis can cause both spider veins and varicose veins.
Many treatments are used. Most commonly they are injected or treated with a laser. Dr. Hudson has found Injection treatment has higher patient acceptability and good success rate. Not everyone gets a response and multiple treatment sessions may be needed to control the veins. In almost every case it is necessary to have a session once or twice a year to stop the veins appearing again in large numbers.
Vein treatment stings for a few minutes and patients describe it as like multiple insect bites. Complications are unusual but superficial blistering and scabbing can occur over injected areas.