Thread Veins
Also known as Spider or Broken veins/capillaries. The medical name is Telangiectasis. Thread veins are tiny dilated blood vessels near to the surface of the skin which can be red, purple or green in colour. Thread veins can appear anywhere on the body. However, in women thread veins are very common on the legs. Veins in the leg have to work the hardest against gravity to return blood back to the heart. Thread veins stem from reticular veins (or feeder veins) which are part of a dense network. The 'thread vein' as become permanently dilated from excess pressure from the larger veins of the venous system. This causes them to rupture and blood seeps out. Although thread veins are unsightly they are mostly harmless and painless. However, if left untreated they could increase in size and number. Thread veins or spider veins on the body are due to the female hormone estrogen. Facial thread veins can appear due to exposure to extreme changes in temperature. Development or increase of thread veins can happen as we age. This is because the skin gets thinner and more fragile making the blood vessels just beneath the skin more visible. Overuse of steroids such as hydrocortisone leave the skin thinner and any thread veins more visible. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is poor return of blood from the feet and legs back to the heart. Severe cases of varicose and thread veins can lead to this condition. Cosmetic treatments such as microsclerotherapy and IPL can eradicate existing thread veins. However, they do not treat the underlying circulatory problems and don't prevent further thread veins from developing. This requires improving microcirculation in the skin where thread veins develop and strengthening vein walls to prevent blood leakage.
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