How to Treat Telangiectasia

Image: Shutterstock/ Zilkovic

Telangiectasia, or spider veins, are something that many people with fibromyalgia suffer with. Essentially, they’re painful veins that can quickly become a serious nuisance. But there are actually a lot of different reasons that you can get spider veins. And not all of them are related to fibromyalgia. But regardless of why you’re suffering from them, you probably want a cure.

So, let’s talk about what spider veins are, along with some possible causes, and how you can treat them.

What Is Telangiectasia?

Telangiectasia is a similar condition to having varicose veins in that they are caused by poor blood flow. Essentially, they’re caused by blood pooling in the veins and being unable to flow back into the heart. This causes them to swell until they are visible under the skin. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins tend to be small and spread across the skin. In fact, they are named after the web-like appearance they present on the surface of the skin.

Depending on how swollen the veins are, you might not even notice them. But when they get big enough, they can cause a fair amount of pain. But spider veins can cause other symptoms as well. They might itch or cause a burning feeling along the skin. And they can leave your legs stiff and achy. The veins might also throb or itch. And in very severe cases, the lack of blood flow might cause the tissue around them to die, which leads to ulcers.

There are a few things to look out for to tell if you have spider veins. The most obvious sign is the appearance of the veins themselves. It’s not uncommon to have veins that are visible through the skin, especially if your skin is very fair. But if you have webs of visible veins in your legs, those are probably spider veins.

In addition, the skin is often warm to the touch due to the extra blood. And the veins themselves are often painful when you press on them.

What Are The Causes?

There are a number of reasons someone might develop spider veins. As you get older, you’re naturally more likely to develop them. And a family history of swollen veins increases your risk, as does obesity.

But hormonal changes, like from menopause and pregnancy, can also make you more likely to develop spider veins. And finally, having a job that requires you to spend long periods of time on your feet can lead to swollen veins.

It’s hard to say why it is that people with fibromyalgia tend to get spider veins. But it might actually just be an issue of demographics. You see, most people with spider veins tend to be older women. And women who have gone through menopause seem to be particularly vulnerable to developing them.

And we know that these also happen to be the type of people who are most likely to have fibromyalgia. So it could be that rather than being a result of fibromyalgia, spider veins just happen to affect the same type of people.

That’s not to say that fibromyalgia can’t play a role. People with fibromyalgia also tend to have reduced blood flow, so that could also explain why telangiectasia is so common in fibro patients. But it could also be a combination of all of these factors.

How Can You Treat Them?

There are a few things you can do to handle spider veins. First, making some lifestyle changes is a good way to go. If you’re overweight, try to get down to a healthy weight through diet and exercise. And if you spend a lot of time on your feet, make sure to take breaks to sit down regularly. Both of these things can prevent spider veins from forming.

But if you’ve already got some, there are some treatments you might want to try. First, compression socks or bandages can be used to compress the veins. That will reduce the swelling and help with the pain. And if you’re still suffering, there are a few things your doctor can do for you.

The most common treatment for spider veins is a procedure called sclerotherapy. It involves the doctor injecting a chemical directly into the veins that force them to close. Over time, the veins die and wear away.

This is the same principle behind laser vein removal. In this procedure, beams of concentrated light are fired through the skin, destroying the veins.

Both procedures are very safe and effective. So if you’re suffering, there’s no reason not to see a doctor and get the condition taken care of.

So, let us know, do you have spider veins? Are they related to fibromyalgia? Tell us in the comments.