Spider veins occur when tiny veins dilate below the surface of the skin, causing red, blue or purple discolorations. They are most common on the thighs, ankles and calves, and are more common in women than men. Spider veins are also more common with age – by age 70, approximately 70% of the population will be affected. The cause isn’t completely understood in every case, but heredity plays a major role. Some cases are related to pregnancy, use of birth control pills or weight gain. People whose work requires them to stand for long periods of time are also at higher risk.

A venous ulcer is an open sore that occurs on the legs when blood is not being pushed back to the heart the way it should. Blood remains in the veins, resulting in pressure buildup inside. The liquid part of blood is pushed out of the vein causing edema (swelling) and poor tissue nutrition. When left untreated, the excess fluid causes the skin to break and an open sore forms. The ulcer often can become infected and require frequent visits to a doctor’s office. Ulcers are usually preceded by leg swelling and skin changes such as a redness and a thickening of the skin.

At Advanced Vein Center, we have expertise in treating veins on more than just the legs. We can also treat veins on the hands and other parts of the body. On the hands, veins are usually not diseased but can become more visible as the skin relaxes and thins with age. They can be easily injured as the skin becomes more fragile. We offer a number of highly effective treatments for these and other types of visible veins.