Thread veins are tiny red and purple blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin, predominantly on the face and legs. Resembling small spider webs, thread veins are also known as spider veins. Medically, the condition is referred to as Telangiectasias.

Several factors contribute to the onset of thread veins, including age, poor blood circulation, heredity, birth control pills, a history of blood clots, obesity, standing or sitting for long periods, hormonal fluctuations, and exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Whilst there is no ‘magic cure’ for eliminating thread veins, there are certain steps we can take to improve the appearance of these undesirable and pesky little veins.

Eat plenty of ginger

Ginger is well-known for improving the blood circulation and thereby giving the health of our veins a boost. Ginger also helps break up the blood protein fibrin, which congregates and builds up around less well-functioning veins. If you are taking medication for blood pressure, it is important to seek medical advice before taking supplementary ginger.

Enjoy a regular message

Now you’ve got an excuse to be regularly messaged! Message is one of the simplest ways to improve the circulation of the blood, which can help reduce inflammation and pain and if you suffer from thread veins, can improve their appearance.

Take regular exercise

Exercise is paramount to improving the blood circulation in our bodies, which is a leading cause of thread veins, particularly on the legs. Exercise gets the heart pumping blood around the body, improving circulation and giving the veins strength and support. Carrying out sensible amounts of exercise regularly, can make a notable difference to the appearance of thread veins.

Moderate exercise several times a week helps avert weight gain and obesity, preventing the onset of more serious venous conditions.

Elevate your legs

If you suffer from thread veins on your legs, one way to help reduce the severity of these tiny, unwanted veins is to elevate your legs regularly, to improve the circulation of blood to the affected areas and relieve the pressure in the veins.

Get your thread veins treated

If you are really concerned with the appearance of thread veins on your face or body, you could investigate having them medically treated, through micro-sclerotherapy or skin laser.

The Vascular Consultancy offers treatment for thread veins and other common vascular conditions. Contact the Vascular Consultancy to book an initial consultation about having thread veins medically treated.

Varicose veins, they’re just niggly veins that appear as we get older, which look unsightly but don’t do us any harm, right? Wrong! Whilst varicose veins can lead to nothing more than cosmetic concerns, for some patients, when left untreated, these unsightly blemishes under the skin can lead to several serious medical conditions.

Take a look at the following four reasons why you should never lead varicose veins untreated.

Venous leg ulcers

A venous leg ulcer can develop if there is an issue with the circulation of blood in the veins of the legs. As the NHS notes, people with varicose veins caused by malfunctioning valves, are amongst those most at risk from developing a venous leg ulcer. Symptoms of a venous leg ulcer include itching, pain and swelling in the affected leg.

Hyperpigmentation

Untreated varicose veins can lead to a condition known as hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of the and discolouration of the skin, which can be caused by excess blood leaking into the tissues of the leg because of untreated varicose veins.

Lipodermatosclerosis

Lipodermatosclerosis refers a condition whereby the tissues in the legs stiffen and harden. This condition is believed to be caused by venous disease, such as venous hypertension and incompetence, as well as obesity. Someone suffering from lipodermatosclerosis can feel as if their legs are becoming progressively tender, making movement increasingly more difficult.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is condition to describe blood clots that develop in the veins. DVT typically occurs in a deep leg vein, or a larger vein, which runs through the muscles in the thigh and calf. DVT can cause swelling and pain and can potentially lead to other complications, such as pulmonary embolism and if the condition is left untreated, it can be life-threatening.

Treating varicose veins

There is a number of ways to treat varicose veins, depending on the severity of the condition. Treatment includes varicose vein surgery, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser, varicose vein avulsions, sclerotherapy and non-surgical treatment, such as using compression stockings.

Acting sooner rather than later can minimise the pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins and can help prevent more serious conditions from manifesting due to varicose veins being left untreated. To discuss the different kinds of treatment for varicose veins and which would be right for you, get in touch with the vascular health experts at the Vascular Consultancy.