Last Updated on June 29, 2025
The difference between spider and varicose veins
Spider veins resemble varicose veins, but are smaller, and lie closer to the surface of the skin. They often appear red or blue and can look like tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins most commonly develop on the legs or face, and can cover a small or large area, so it is important to understand the difference between spider and varicose veins to choose the appropriate treatment for each case. This article provides background on their causes, symptoms, treatments, and how to care for your veins after surgery.
Causes of varicose veins and spider veins
Spider veins can happen in the legs when the valves are weak or damaged, preventing blood from flowing in the right direction and accumulating inside the vein, causing a bulge.
In many cases, spider veins develop on the face when tiny blood vessels burst because of increased pressure on them or damage from UV light.
Other factors that increase the development of Varicose Veins in One Leg include:
- Prolonged sitting or standing.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
- Advanced age.
- Lack of exercise.
- Extended periods of immobility.
Symptoms of varicose veins
There are many symptoms of varicose veins, which include visible and invisible signs, such as:
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Visible signs of varicose veins
Visible symptoms of chronic Venous insufficiency most commonly occur in the legs, but may also affect other areas of the body, such as:
- Swollen, twisted, dilated, bulging veins under the skin.
- Red, dark blue, or purple veins.
- Common skin discoloration around the veins.
Skin coloration and visible varicose veins may be unsightly or visually painful to some individuals.
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Invisible signs of varicose veins
The signs of varicose veins include:
- Pain, aching, or throbbing feelings in the legs after long periods of standing or sitting.
- Heaviness or fatigue in the legs after prolonged activity or at the end of the day.
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may be associated with varicose veins which can sometimes develop or worsen this condition. It causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs and other uncomfortable feelings.
- Itching or irritation of the skin.
Complications of varicose veins
Treating spider and varicose veins is not only for cosmetic reasons. Although varicose veins don’t usually lead to serious health problems, they sometimes cause complications, including:
- Bleeding.
- Skin rashes such as eczema.
- Ulcers in the skin that take a long time to heal (venous ulcers).
- Formation of Blood clots in superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.
If you develop these complications, you should call the doctor or visit the nearest hospital.
Prevention of varicose veins and spider veins
Some experts suggest ways to prevent varicose and spider veins, including:
- Wearing support stockings.
- Achieving a healthy weight.
- Doing exercise regularly.
- Avoid wearing high heels that affect proper vein function, especially large veins.
Treatment of varicose veins and spider veins
These affected veins can be treated in two main ways. Surgery for larger varicose veins, and Sclerotherapy for smaller ones.
There are a lot of treatments for spider veins and varicose veins:
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Sclerotherapy
Some varicose and Spider vein therapy can be treated with sclerotherapy, which involves injection of sclerosants (irritant chemicals) into the affected vein, causing it to collapse and eventually disappear.
Over time, the walls of the vein stick together, making it unable to carry blood.
Recovery time depends on the size of the veins and takes between two to six months.
Besides, support (compression) stockings help to speed this process for six days if the veins are small and six weeks if the veins are bigger.
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Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes improve the treatment of varicose veins and spider veins, such as:
- Keeping skin hygiene.
- Losing extra weight if needed.
- Walking regularly.
- Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing.
- Wearing lower heels helps your calf work better and improves blood flow instead of high heels.
- Doing exercises to boost muscle tone and blood circulation.
- Stop crossing legs at the knees or ankles.
- Raising legs when relaxing, sitting, or sleeping.
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Radiofrequency occlusion
A catheter (small tube) is placed inside the vein, where it sends radiofrequency energy to heat the vein, causing it to collapse and close the wall of the vein, preventing it from carrying blood.
This treatment is done in a clinic or doctor’s office with local anesthesia.
Not everyone with varicose or spider veins suffers from pain or other symptoms. However, some may choose to have the veins removed for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy procedure
Sclerotherapy procedure doesn’t need anesthesia and is carried out in the dermatologic surgeon’s office.
This process takes around 15 to 30 minutes, with the exact length of time based on the size of the area and number of veins being treated.
Depending on its size, multiple veins are injected in one session, while a single vein may require more than one injection.
During the process, lie on your back, then raise your legs slightly. The doctor will clean the area before inserting a solution into the affected vein using a fine needle.
The solution makes the walls of the vein swell, stick together, and close up, stopping the blood flow, and the vein disappears in a few weeks.
Tell the doctor if you feel cramps or some minor stinging during the insertion of the needle into the vein.
After the injections, the doctor will apply pressure and massage the treated vein to keep the blood out of the injected area and to spread the solution.
You can use a compression pad taped onto the injection area to keep the site compressed.
After sclerotherapy for varicose or spider veins
After sclerotherapy for varicose or spider veins, you should do the following:
- Walking after treatment is essential to enhance the blood flow in the deep veins.
- Wearing support stockings helps reduce swelling, bruising, and other complications like clots and inflammation.
- It’s recommended to do regular exercise, control your weight, and use support stockings (if practical) between and after treatment to boost recovery.
Side effects of sclerotherapy for varicose or spider veins
Sclerotherapy causes common side effects, such as:
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Itching.
- Skin discoloration.
- Discomfort.
- Stinging.
- Increased red areas appearing around the injection areas.
These go away within a few days.
While brown lines or spots may develop near the treated vein and disappear within 3 to 6 months, they can last longer, or even become permanent in some cases.
There are more serious side effects, such as:
- Allergic reactions to the sclerosing agent.
- Skin ulcers around the injection site.
- Formation of blood clots at the treated site.
- Skin infection.
- Inflammation-related discomfort around the injection site.
Surgery for varicose veins
Varicose veins, especially major surface veins such as the long or short saphenous veins, are treated surgically.
The surgeon makes numerous small incisions (cuts) to reach the affected vein rather than a single large one. These incisions, such as in the groin or behind the knee, depend on the location of the varicose vein.
Surgical techniques include:
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Ligation and stripping
The vein is cut and tied off by the surgeon, then a slender tool is inserted into the vein via a small incision. The vein is pulled out through a second incision.
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Phlebectomy
The surgeon makes small incisions and removes the veins using a special hook.
Medical issues before varicose vein surgery
The type of surgery that is best suited for you is determined by doctors through a series of tests that you undergo.
These tests include an ultrasound scan and a physical examination, and you will discuss issues with your doctor including:
- Your medical history review, where some pre-existing conditions may influence decisions about surgery and anaesthetic.
- Your regular medications, including any over-the-counter preparations.
- Any side effects or bad reactions after taking medications.
- Whether you are pregnant or not. Varicose vein surgery is generally not recommended for pregnant women.
Immediately after varicose vein surgery
You can expect the following after varicose vein surgery, such as:
- Firm your leg with a compression bandage to reduce bruising.
- Take medication to relieve the pain.
- be encouraged to walk around.
- Stay in the hospital for one or two days.
Side effects of varicose vein surgery
After varicose vein surgery, there are some common side effects, such as:
- Swelling, especially in the feet and ankles, which takes a few weeks to fade.
- Scarring, though less noticeable than varicose veins, disappears over time.
- Brown skin staining, which also fades with time.
- Swelling, bruising, and pain in the skin and the calf muscle May also occur.
- Nerve injuries occur, leading to patches of numbness or “pins and needles”. These patches may recover over time (sometimes taking up to two years in some cases) or be permanent.
Complications of varicose vein surgery
The difference between spider and varicose veins becomes more apparent when considering possible surgical complications.
Although varicose vein surgery is safe, all surgery has some degree of risk. Possible complications may include:
- Infections, particularly in those who had skin ulcers.
- Blood clots forming in deep veins.
- Bleeding or bruising.
Self-care at home after varicose vein surgery
Self-care at home after varicose vein surgery includes:
- Avoid any hard physical exertion after surgery.
- Don’t remove your bandages by yourself, let them be removed by your doctor.
- Protect your bandages from getting wet while showering, wrap them in plastic.
- Walk at least 30 minutes daily.
- Avoid sun exposure on scars for 6 months.
- Wear support stockings as the doctor advises.
- Avoid prolonged sitting with your legs crossed or standing.
- Using support stockings if your leg continues to ache.
What is the difference between spider and varicose veins?
Spider veins often appear red or blue, are visible on the surface of the skin, and can look like tree branches or spider webs, while varicose veins are large, swollen, twisted, and cause symptoms.
Long-term outlook after varicose vein surgery
After surgery, you will be checked up in a few weeks and again after several months.
About 20% of patients will develop new crops of varicose veins over time.
Whether you are dealing with vessels on your face or bulging, twisted veins in your legs, you must understand the difference between spider and varicose veins to receive the proper treatment.
If you experience any complications after surgery, consult Dr. Marzouk and his team at Frontier Medical Care in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, or schedule your appointment online.
Stay in touch with us:
- Address: in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NYMarzouk, MD
- Call: +1718-630-1111
- Email: info@frontiervascular.com
