Facial Veins & Spider Veins
FacE Veins & Fine Leg Veins
What are Spider Veins?
Also known as Telangiectasias, these are small thread-like veins on the surface, often in lines or stellate. They may or may not be associated with varicose veins.
Spider veins can develop anywhere on the body but are commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks and chin, as well as on the legs around the upper thigh, below the knee joint and around the ankles.
Spider veins can be caused by both congenital and acquired factors.
Fine Facial Veins & Red Spots
Treatment for the small red or fine dark veins around the sides of the nose, and across the cheeks and chin is simple with Laser and may only require 2 or 3 treatments.
Treatments are 6-8 weeks apart, as some veins take this length of time to disappear. The same applies to small spots that can appear anywhere on the body. Treatment is quick and relatively painless.
Facial Vein Treatment Options: CoolGlide Laser
Spider Veins in Legs & 'Blue Blebs'
Multiple fine veins on men’s legs are usually as the result of a larger underlying vein problem, which may or may not be visible from the surface. These dark fine veins commonly appear around scars or injury sites, the lower legs, ankles and feet.
If these are isolated veins, the treatment for spider veins in the legs is with sclerotherapy, but if they are as a result of a bigger vein problem (e.g. varicose veins), that must be found and treated first.
Ocassionally, some of these fine spider veins appear right on the skin surface, looking very dark and about pinhead size. They are then called “Blue Blebs” (BB’s). They can easily bleed making them “Bleeding Blue Blebs” (BBB’s). If this does happen, it can be frightening and messy. The blood will spray out, not dribble or pulse. Apply pressure, lie down, elevate the leg, and stay like that until the bleeding stops. If concerned seek medical help.
[ see “Murder in the Bathroom” (about Blue Blebs) ]
MURDER IN THE BATHROOM...??
...at least, that’s what it looks like, blood everywhere, on the floor and low on the walls. It isn’t anything so sinister though, in fact the culprit is often a tiny wee vein that you may not have even noticed amongst the many other small spiders veins on the lower legs or feet.
“Blue Blebs” (BB’s) or when they bleed, “Bleeding Blue Blebs” (BBB’s) are very common. They are very dark, even black, little pinhead segments in spider veins that are very superficial and vulnerable, usually on the lower calf or foot. Their owners will have some larger varicose veins further up the leg as well.
The classic story is of someone having just got out of the shower or bath and be drying themselves, when they notice blood on the floor and low on the walls. They often cannot see where the blood is coming from, and it can be very frightening. Commonly, this happens during or just after showering, when hot or rubbing with a towel, but it can happen at anytime, for all sorts of reasons.
What has happened?
The skin over one of these BB’s has opened up. Then, because there is pressure from the larger veins above and the person is standing, the blood sprays out in a very fine continuous spray. It doesn’t pulse (as an artery would), or trickle out (as a normal vein would), it sprays. There can appear to be a lot of blood, but in reality usually there isn’t that much.
What to do if it happens to you:
- Lie down and elevate the leg above the heart.
- Apply pressure to the point the blood is coming from.
- It will stop, but many people are on aspirin or warfarin and this can slow the clotting time down, so be patient.
- It may start up again when you stand up.
- Don’t move around the house – that will make a bigger mess!
- If you are really concerned, call an ambulance.
- If you feel under control, keep pressure over the site until you have seen your doctor.
- A small scab will form that eventually heals.
- Your doctor may suggest getting treatment for the vein problems.
There are several treatment options these days, but that’s another story...
Vein & Laser are experts in this field, so for advice and treatment come and see the caring, experienced team of doctors, ultrasonographers and nurses.
Vein & Laser
Now with clinics in Warkworth, North Shore & Herne Bay.
Phone: 0800 085 555 or 09 410 0990
Leg Vein Treatment Options: Sclerotherapy | Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) | Endo Venous Laser Treatment: EVLT | Vein Surgery
Spider Vein Treatment Costs
Please contact us for pricing.
For more information, see our small vein removal frequently asked questions page.
Make an appointment by contacting us on (09) 410 0990, email or fill in our online form.
