Skin Health More Skin Conditions Causes and Prevention of Varicose and Spider Veins By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 15, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is board-certified in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University and works in private practice in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Appearance and Location Causes Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Varicose veins are enlarged veins, while spider veins are a smaller version of the same condition, though their appearance is different. Women are about twice as likely to develop this circulatory condition than men. Though unsightly, varicose and spider veins don't always require medical attention. When they do, sclerotherapy, injecting a solution into the vein to force blood to reroute to healthier veins, is a common treatment. In the most serious cases, surgery may be required. These veins can cause dull discomfort that may get worse as you age, but severe pain is uncommon. Symptoms of discomfort may include: Swelling in your feet and legsFatigued leg muscles and night cramps An itchy or burning sensation on the skin of your legs and ankles 1:52 Watch Now: Things You Might Not Know About Varicose Veins Appearance and Location Varicose veins have characteristics that you can see through your skin, such as: They're red or blue in color.They have the appearance of cords running just under your skin that look twisted and bulging. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Varicose veins on a leg. Staras / Getty Images These veins pop up on various parts of your body, usually in the lower half, including: The backs of your calvesThe inside of your legsAnywhere from your groin to the ankleIn your vagina or around your anus, during pregnancy Spider veins look similar to varicose veins, but there are differences: They are smaller.They are often red, but sometimes blue, in color.They are closer to your skin's surface.They look like a spiderweb, with short, jagged lines.They cover either a very small or very large area of skin. When checking your body for spider veins, you can often find them on your legs and face. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Spider veins on a leg. eldemir / Getty Images Causes Your veins are part of your circulatory system. As blood returns to your heart, healthy, strong veins act as one-way valves to prevent the blood from flowing backward. When veins weaken, some of the blood can leak backward, collect there, and then become congested or clogged. This causes the veins to become abnormally large, resulting in either varicose veins or spider veins. Science has yet to uncover exactly what causes the one-way valves to weaken, but several factors make you more likely to develop them, including: Heredity, or being born with weak vein valves Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause (when your period has stopped for 12 months), as well as from taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, or birth control pills Pregnancy, which causes enlarged veins due to a significant increase in blood volume An enlarged uterus during pregnancy, which puts more pressure on the veins (with improvement seen after delivery) Other factors that weaken vein valves and contribute to the appearance of varicose and spider veins include: Aging Obesity Leg injury Prolonged standing—commonly work-related for nurses, teachers, and food service workers Supplements Prevention You can try to prevent varicose and spider veins by taking the following steps: Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs. Do not cross your legs when sitting and try to elevate your legs when resting. Wear compression stockings (special, snug-fitting socks to improve circulation). Do not stand for long periods of time. Frequently Asked Questions Do spider veins appear on the legs? Yes, the legs are one of main areas where spider veins can appear, along with the face. Can varicose veins appear as purple veins on the legs? Yes, varicose veins can appear as purple veins on the legs and other areas of the body. In most cases, they appear on the lower half of the body, such as the back of the calves or the inside of legs. They can also be red or blue in color. How to Naturally Treat Varicose Veins Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Piazza G. Varicose veins. Circulation. 2014;130(7):582-7. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.008331 Heller JA, Evans NS. Varicose veins. Vasc Med. 2015;20(1):88-90. doi:10.1177/1358863X14566224 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. Varicose veins and spider veins. NHS inform. Varicose veins. Additional Reading WomensHealth.gov: Varicose Veins and Spider Veins Fact Sheet. UCLA Gonda Venus Center: Symptoms and Diagnosis of Spider Veins