Veins on the Face and Legs
It’s estimated that at least half of all people over age 50 have thread veins, which are simply enlarged blood vessels which are visible through the skin, in several places: knees, ankles, legs and parts of the face, especially on the cheeks and around the nose. Although they are most common among women, they also afflict men – even though some say they appear due to the prevalence of the female hormone, estrogen. Most people start getting them between the ages of 30 – 60, although is some cases they appear when an individual is still in his or her teens. Luckily, several treatments now exist to treat the veins, which in medical parlance are called telangiectasia or “sunburst varicosities” While they cause no physical harm, they can be ugly and cause undue emotional distress.
Why We Get Veins
We get spider veins because we’re human. The human skin is a fragile thing, and veins can appear due to a number of causes, including a backup or pooling of blood in an area, excessive alcohol consumption, trauma, age, genetics, hormones, pregnancy, taking certain medications and exposure to the sun.
A variety of treatments are available to get rid of spider veins. Be aware that some thread veins are actually connected to varicose veins, which is why it’s important that we check them first before having any treatment to remove them. This is to stop them from reappearing.
Ways to Prevent Spider Veins
There is no fool-proof way to prevent all spider veins from occurring. But there are ways to minimize the number of veins you have.
They include:
- Always wear sunscreen and minimize exposure to the sun.
- Elevate your legs when resting, never cross them.
- Watch your weight and eat a diet low in salt and high in fiber.