Spider veins are very fine, dilated veins with a maximum diameter of 1 mm that run superficially and locally in the skin. Medically speaking, they are a type of varicose vein and therefore a medical condition, even though most of us only find them cosmetically disturbing. They are visible to the naked eye and often appear as reddish-blue lines that shimmer through the skin. Spider veins mainly occur on the legs. Men and women are affected in roughly equal numbers. They get their name from their appearance: with their typical branching pattern, they resemble birch twigs that were once tied together to make brooms – hence the name "spider veins."
Do spider veins cause discomfort?
Very few spider veins cause discomfort to those affected. However, it is not uncommon for burning pain, a feeling of pressure or warmth, or swelling to occur in the area of the spider veins. Whether spider veins themselves can lead to the formation of larger and therefore more significant varicose veins remains unclear to this day.
Questionable home remedies for spider veins
The desire to be attractive is as old as humanity itself. That is why people have been trying to combat these unsightly varicose veins since early times. One of these methods was the use of vegetables:
Unripe tomatoes or sprouting potatoes contain the toxic alkaloid solanine, which should not be consumed. External application to the affected areas over several weeks is said to make spider veins less visible. However, this has not been proven.
Natural substances such as apple cider vinegar, garlic, lemon or mountain pine oil, spruce extract, arnica or calendula ointment are also said to stimulate blood circulation. Applied to the affected areas several times a day over a period of several weeks, they are said to promote the drainage of blood from the spider veins. This is supposed to cause the veins to fade slightly. Salmon, avocado, ginkgo biloba, goji berries, garlic, ginger, buckwheat, and rockweed tea are also said to have a similar effect.
Is our diet an effective remedy for spider veins?
Vitamin C, zinc, and flavonoids are said to strengthen vein walls and valves. Foods rich in vitamin C include acerola fruit, rose hips, nettles, blackcurrants, and peppers. Good sources of zinc include shellfish, offal, meat, legumes, dairy products, and eggs. Flavonoids are found in arnica flowers, birch leaves, buckwheat herb, elderflower, chamomile flowers, hop cones, and dark chocolate, among other things.
However, there is no evidence that increased intake of these nutrients has any effect on the development and treatment of spider veins.
Leeches as the "somewhat different" remedy for spider veins
In leech therapy, leeches are placed on the skin near the spider veins. As they suck blood, they release anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory substances, which are said to make the veins visibly paler. The leeches fall off by themselves after about thirty minutes. Unfortunately, this type of therapy is not long-lasting. After a short time, the veins fill with blood again and the spider veins become visible once more.
What are some potentially effective remedies for spider veins?
Studies have shown that the active ingredient aescin, derived from horse chestnut, can stabilize the vein walls in some patients, thereby reducing the flow of fluid into the tissue. This can also have a preventive effect against water retention (known as edema). A similar effect has also been observed for red vine leaf extract. Both preparations are available over the counter in the form of ointments and tablets.
When consumed daily, basil is said to help reduce spider veins due to its high vitamin K content. The effect has been tested at the University of Maastricht and should be visible after about six weeks.
Whether the active ingredients described here will have an effect on individuals cannot be predicted and can only be determined by trial and error.
Furthermore, cold showers for approx. 5 minutes per leg after showering promote the tone of the vein wall and can also lead to a reduction in spider veins.
Wearing compression stockings regularly can also help prevent spider veins from getting worse.
And what is a truly effective remedy for spider veins?
The injection of polidocanol into spider veins has been medically proven and tested. This is an alcoholic solution which, when injected into the spider vein, irritates the vein wall and causes an inflammatory reaction, leading to the shrinking of the dilated vein and thus the reduction of the spider vein within several weeks. For certain types of spider veins, transdermal laser treatment can also be attempted. Good results have also been reported with heat treatment using a high-frequency probe to burn off the spider veins.
Spider veins are sometimes just the "tip of the iceberg"
However, it should always be checked whether there is a deeper, more extensive varicose vein formation behind the spider vein, which is not visible from the outside and is the actual root of the problem. The spider vein is then only the "tip of the iceberg."
A painless ultrasound examination by a vein specialist (phlebologist) can quickly provide clarity and is recommended for any spider vein formation.
