Spider Veins on the Legs
Spider veins on the legs are dilated subcutaneous capillaries and other small blood vessels visible beneath the skin. The medical term for this condition is telangiectasia.
Normally, capillaries have a diameter of no more than 0.02 mm. These tiny vessels (arterioles, capillaries, venules) are usually located under the skin and are invisible. However, when such a vessel becomes dilated and filled with blood, it begins to show through the skin, and in some cases may slightly protrude above it.
Dilated capillaries are known as spider veins, and clusters of these veins form vascular networks.
Types of Vascular Networks
Spider veins on the legs can differ in structure:
- Linear or simple – one or several parallel vessels;
- With a clearly defined center and radiating “spoke-like” vessels;
- With a branching structure resembling the crown of a tree.
On the legs, spider veins can appear in various colors: blue, purple, or red linear or tree-like telangiectasias.
Causes of Development
The appearance of spider veins on the legs can result from one or several factors:
- Hereditary diseases or genetic predisposition to varicose veins;
- Age-related changes: hormonal shifts and prolonged static load on the limbs;
- Harmful habits such as excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, which increase vascular strain;
- Sharp temperature fluctuations (sauna, contrast showers, winter cold exposure);
- Diet: spicy foods, seasonings, excessive consumption of coffee and dark chocolate.
Significant strain on the lower limbs can also be caused by:
- Pregnancy;
- Heavy physical labor;
- Excess weight;
- Prolonged standing or sitting.