If you have heard about spider veins and varicose veins, you probably know a little about reticular veins as well. They appear similar to the veins that appear because of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The size of the reticular veins is smaller than varicose veins; they are hardly 2mm (millimeter) in diameter. Also, they do not stick out above the skin like varicose veins.
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One out of three people is living with varicose veins. A varicose vein is a common disorder with different levels of severity. Some of you have already seen spider veins; they are small in size but more reddish, and they tend to appear as lines on the backside of your legs, cheeks, and sometimes, on your neck.
Reticular and varicose veins appear similar because of the same color. Both of them can become visible on many parts of your body. The back and inner side of your thigh are common areas where this condition occurs. They frequently appear on the ankle and lower leg too.
Sometimes, you will see people referring to reticular veins as feeder veins because of the fact that they feed into spider veins. When reticular veins feed spider veins, they serve as a source of blood for the spider veins. In such cases, eliminating the reticular veins can help you get rid of spider veins too.
Symptoms of Reticular Veins
You can refer to reticular veins as ‘feeder veins’ or ‘blue veins.’ Such a condition takes place when enlarged veins allow the outgoing flow of blood in the opposite direction (backward). It will increase the pressure of blood flow, which can cause the veins to become enlarged. They can twist and turn into blue or green lines under the surface of your skin. An unsightly marbling effect will often be created as well.
The presence of reticular veins on your body could point to another health condition. Furthermore, they may also leave a negative effect on your lifestyle. For example, the blue veins on your skin possibly will restrict you from wearing shorts in summers or attending pool parties to enjoy freely.
Feeder veins look like either blemished marbles or an unattractive group of blue or green lines. Typically, reticular veins are not as painful as varicose veins are. However, if you or someone you know has several feeder veins, he or she might experience similar symptoms to those of varicose veins. Following are the common symptoms and signs you will witness.
- Aching
- Heaviness
- Discomfort
- Fatigue
- Irritation
The people who have this condition may experience tenderness, itching, and/or a burning sensation in a particular area, especially the area surrounding the blue veins.
Reticular Veins Treatment
Here are some treatments for the reticular veins.
- Sclerotherapy
- Mini-phlebectomy
Occasionally, doctors perform a mini-phlebectomy to identify the feeder veins immediately. However, surgeons perform sclerotherapy frequently to treat your unattractive veins. Know that this procedure is more invasive than a mini-phlebectomy. After the completion of one of these treatments, you will be able to enjoy smoother and clearer skin.
After the treatment of the reticular veins, the possibility of having spider veins in that particular area will decrease. Since a reticular vein is a widened vein that comes out as a blue or green line on your skin, it can affect almost 80% of all adults.
As a result of your genetic factors, you are at a high risk of having these veins. However, they can also occur due to weak veins or hormonal imbalances. You may notice them appear on your body even if you do not have any painful symptoms or any other medical complications. The appearance of reticular veins can bother many patients, which makes them seek for all possible treatments.
Like other people, you must also desire for smooth and clear skin. If that’s so, you can always come to us for having your condition treated effectively. Our knowledgeable vascular surgeons will suggest the best treatment based on your condition and other requirements.
To treat reticular veins, surgeons often prefer sclerotherapy. While in some cases, surgeons choose a mini-phlebectomy procedure for the treatment. If you want, you can go for mini-phlebectomy, which is a less invasive alternative of sclerotherapy.
Conclusion
While reticular veins aren’t particularly a sign of a serious medical condition, you should avoid listening to non-expert advice from people around you. Talk to a professional doctor and pay attention to what they have to say about your condition. A vein doctor can always guide you in the right direction about your condition and provide you with the right treatment needed to get rid of the issue.
Call Award Winning Vascular Surgeon Dr. Norman Chideckel
If you have reticular veins or if someone you know is worried about this condition, our vein expert Dr. Norman Chideckel will provide you with the much-needed assistance. Call us at 212-993-6133 to book an appointment immediately or you can explore our website to know more about this and other vein conditions.