Most often, spider veins on the legs and other parts of the body do not provoke the development of complications, usually people consider them as a cosmetic defect. Such a phenomenon can be observed today in almost every adult, sometimes it is also present in children. In addition to the lower extremities, such formations can be found on the face, abdomen and other parts of the body. Usually, asterisks are formed as a result of external factors, but sometimes they may indicate the development of a pathology in the human body that requires immediate therapy.
Characteristics and description of the problem
Spider veins on the legs are small nets of red or blue blood vessels. Vessels under the influence of some factors expanded and swelled, and then appeared on the surface layer of the dermis. Such formations are not inflammatory in nature, they do not protrude above the surface of the skin, they form separate pathological areas, which, when pressed, begin toturn pale.
Most often this phenomenon occurs in women, as men have three times the thickness of the skin. In 72% of cases, pathology manifests itself in women after seventy years. The risk group includes women who gave birth to children, as they underwent hormonal changes in the body. During pregnancy, the level of estrogen in the body increases, provokes vasodilation. After labor, the amount of hormones returns to normal, so the vessels should return to their previous state within a month and a half. But this does not always happen, so a woman has spider veins on her legs, reviews of which are negative, since they create a visible cosmetic and aesthetic defect. At the same time, capillaries, arteries and venules can expand in size up to one millimeter.
Causes for the development of pathology
Numerous studies have shown that the main cause of the appearance of pathology lies in the disorder of the hormonal system. There are also a large number of diseases that provoke this phenomenon:
- hereditary predisposition, exposure to toxins and carcinogens;
- Raynaud's disease, rosacea, mastocytosis, xeroderma or varicose veins, hormonal disorders;
- radiation dermatitis, cirrhosis, ataxia, primary immunodeficiency;
- Marfan, Louis-Bar, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, as well as Sturge-Weber disease or Klippel-Trenaunay;
- vascular hemangiomas, congenital neuroangiopathies, essential telagniectasias;
- disorder of the hormonal system, in particular during pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage;
- long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, glucocorticosteroids;
- skin diseases such as rosacea, radiation dermatitis, keratosis and others;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels, obesity;
- lack of vitamin C in the body;
- syphilis, AIDS.
When the disease is not congenital, it is classified as an acquired pathology, then the asterisks on the legs will have the following causes:
- abuse of bad habits;
- use of tanning beds, exposure to the sun for a long period of time, exposure to radiation;
- hypodynamia;
- strong physical activity;
- prolonged stress and emotional stress;
- lower limb injuries;
- hard working conditions.
In some cases, the pathology is associated with circulatory disorders. Blood hardly passes through the altered vessels, therefore it uses other paths. As a result, stagnation of blood is formed, its pressure rises, which leads to rupture of capillaries. The appearance of pathology on the lower extremities in men most often indicates the presence of venous insufficiency.
Varieties of pathology
Depending on the shape of the spider veins on the legs can be of the following types:
- sinus (simple, linear), characterized by the formation of pathology on the legs in the form of various blue or red lines, the causewhich is a disease of the dermis or collagenosis;
- tree-like, which appear on the legs and resemble a dark blue branching tree in shape, the source of the pathology is the reticular vein, which is located distally;
- spotted or patiform, which appear together with other tissue diseases and have a bright red tint;
- star-shaped or arachnid, which are formed at one point of red color and diverge from it in different directions, resembling the sun's rays.
Most often, asterisks on the legs, the treatment, the causes of which will be discussed in detail in this article, are localized on the calves and thighs. In women, this pathology is usually of a mixed type.
Symptoms and signs of disease
The disease is easily recognized if it is on the surface of the skin. Vascular asterisks can be of a different shade, which often changes over time. An experienced doctor can easily identify the origin of the pathology by the color of the spider veins.
Sometimes a small star slowly grows and turns purple, this phenomenon is associated with blood entering the vessels from the veins.
Diagnostic measures
Before removing the stars on the legs, the doctor examines the history of the disease and conducts a visual examination. Then he directs the patient to analyze the vessels for the presence of pathologies. Diagnostic methods such as x-rays, vascular ultrasound, blood and urine tests, a cholesterol test, hemostasis assessment, andother. Quite often, a pinch test is used to study the period of subcutaneous hemorrhage, as well as a tourniquet test. These studies make it possible to determine the form of pathology. The doctor also differentiates spider veins from hemangioma.
Treatment of pathology
Asterisks on the legs treatment is suggested only after establishing the cause of their appearance. Modern medicine has many invasive and conservative therapies that help eliminate this phenomenon.
As a drug treatment, drugs are prescribed that contain ascorbic acid in their composition. Also, the doctor can prescribe various creams and ointments that will help strengthen the vascular walls and improve blood flow in the lower extremities. The most commonly used drugs are Lyoton and Traxevasin. They make it possible to avoid the progression of pathology and prevent the appearance of new spider veins. It is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend massage, special exercise, and wearing compression stockings.
Invasive therapy
The most effective methods for removing stars on the legs are:
- Sclerotherapy. In this case, with the help of a thin needle, the drug "Sclerosant" is injected into the pathological areas. The drug first damages the walls of blood vessels, and then contributes to their gluing, forming a connecting cord, which resolves over time. There are several ways to carry out this procedure:microsclerotherapy, microfoam, segmental varicose veins, echosclerotherapy. All these methods are effective, but they only eliminate the consequences without affecting the cause of the disease. The course of treatment can be up to five procedures with an interval of one week.
- Laser therapy - removal of stars on the legs with a laser, when the affected vessels are cauterized. Often it is used to eliminate bleeding. This technique involves the use of only specialized devices. The procedure itself does not guarantee that spider veins will not form again.
Uncommon Therapies
Also, asterisks on the legs are treated using the following methods:
- Electrocoagulation is not often used, but sometimes doctors resort to it. In this case, the vessels are cauterized under the influence of high frequency current under local anesthesia. This procedure is effective, but traumatic, as the tissues surrounding the vessel often suffer, causing scarring. The course of treatment is usually up to seven procedures.
- Ozone therapy, in which compounds with a high concentration of ozone are injected into a vessel. After the introduction of the drug, the pathological vessels are destroyed, the spider veins on the legs disappear. This technique has no side effects, scars are not formed at the injection site. The course of treatment is up to five procedures.
- Radio wave treatment, in which a radio wave incision is made, cauterization of the pathological vessel. After the procedure, the spider veins disappear. The skin does not leave scars and scars. disadvantageof this method is that it can only be used to remove single capillaries.
- Surgical intervention, which consists in eliminating the pathological part of the vessel. Sometimes the affected vessel is replaced with a prosthesis, bandaged or cauterized.
Today, medicine offers many methods on how to get rid of stars on the legs. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages in each case. Usually, the maximum effect can be achieved by combining techniques such as laser therapy and sclerotherapy.
Pregnancy Therapy
Pregnant women are prescribed minimally invasive therapies and medications. Often, doctors prescribe to pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding a special spray or foot cream "Normaven", which contains only natural ingredients. It increases the tone of blood vessels and strengthens their walls. Such a tool can also be used to prevent pathology.
Forecast
Usually this pathology has good prognosis. It does not require special treatment, as it passes after a certain period of time on its own. Timely access to a doctor contributes to a full recovery in the future.
Only Louis-Bar syndrome has a poor prognosis, since today medicine does not have effective methods for its treatment.
The formation of spider veins on the skin should be the reason for a mandatory visit to a medical institution, because the pathology is not only cosmeticdefect, but may also indicate the presence of serious pathologies in the body.
Prevention
For the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to lead a he althy lifestyle, stop drinking alcohol and nicotine. An important place in the prevention of pathology is occupied by a balanced diet, in which food must be consumed five times a day in small portions. It is also recommended to perform moderate physical activity so that the legs do not get tired and swell. Women should wear shoes with low heels, it is also important to take a contrast shower in the evenings. This procedure helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and has a positive effect on blood circulation.
Doctors recommend doing gymnastic exercises to relieve fatigue, tension, increase vascular tone and improve blood circulation in the legs. Also, exercises will help to eliminate an existing pathology if used in combination with other methods of therapy.
