Reticular Veins
Reticular veins appear as short, jagged lines under the surface of the skin and are red or blue in color. Their occurrence can be attributed to improper valve closure within the veins. This inability to close often allows blood to flow backward, causing the vein to change color or become enlarged.
What reticular veins can look like
Example of reticular veins — flat, branch-like blue-green vessels under the skin.
Contains clinical photography | click to expand | © The Vein Company
Symptoms of Reticular Veins
Do you have one or more of the following?
- Itching around affected veins
- Burning sensation
- General discomfort
- Branch-like patterns of red or blue veins under the skin
In most cases, reticular veins are only a cosmetic concern and rarely lead to serious health risks. However, they have been known to cause itching, burning, and general discomfort in some cases. Even less often, reticular veins can be indicators of blood backup in deeper parts of the leg. These sorts of backups can lead to serious problems such as blood clotting and skin ulcers.
Causes of Reticular Veins
- Heredity
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Obesity
- Hormonal changes
- Sun exposure
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
When Should You See A Doctor?
If your symptoms continue to worsen despite efforts to self-treat, you may want to see a doctor.
Reticular Veins Treatments
There are many treatment options available that have proven successful in the removal of a reticular vein. Not every condition related to venous insufficiency requires treatment. You and your doctor should discuss your specific situation and the options that are best for you.
Superficial Venous Reflux Disease Treatment
Superficial venous reflux disease treatment aims to reduce or stop the backward flow of blood. Superficial vein removal is a great way to treat the diseased vein, improving the overall blood flow and helping relieve symptoms. For some patients, compression stockings alone may improve blood flow. For other patients, closing or removing the diseased vein may be necessary.
Why it matters
Treating reticular veins is often essential for lasting spider vein results. If feeder veins are left untreated, spider veins tend to recur after treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Reticular Veins treatment near you
We treat reticular veins at all of our locations across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.