Spider veins on their own rarely lead to complications. But if you also have other conditions, such as CVI, you may be at risk for venous stasis ulcers or cellulitis. It’s important to talk to a provider about the health of your blood vessels and signs of complications you should look out for.
Purple Stretch Marks
If you have stretch marks, you’re not alone. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that between 50 percent and 80 percent of people have stretch marks.
Stretch marks can vary in color among people. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the color of your stretch marks depends on the color of your skin. They may appear:
Stretch marks, also called striae, are scars that are associated with the skin being stretched and thinned, which causes the elastic fibers to break.
Typical causes of stretch marks include:
- rapid weight gain or loss
- pregnancy
- rapid growth, such as an adolescent growth spurt
- rapid muscle growth, such as a result of weight training
Stretch marks are also associated with long-term application of corticosteroids and with certain health conditions, such as Cushing’s disease and Marfan syndrome.
Darker colored stretch marks, such as purple ones, are typically newer. Without treatment, they’ll usually fade to white or silver over time.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common places for stretch marks to appear include the:
Stretch marks don’t typically require medical treatment. They aren’t dangerous, and although they may first appear dark purple or red, they usually fade over time.
If you’re interested in products to improve the appearance of stretch marks, consult your dermatologist or doctor.
Some of the treatments commonly used for stretch marks include:
- Retinoid cream. One example of retinoid cream is tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova), which is often used on relatively new stretch marks. If you’re pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend alternatives to retinoid creams.
- Microdermabrasion. This minimally invasive procedure exfoliates (removes) the outer layer of skin to allow new and potentially more elastic skin to grow.
- Chemical peel. These treatments, which may include trichloroacetic acid, remove the top layer of skin to promote new skin growth.
- Light and laser therapies. Your dermatologist may suggest one of a variety of light and laser therapies, such as pulsed-dye laser treatment, which can help stimulate elastin or collagen growth in your skin.
According to the Mayo Clinic, although these treatments may help improve the texture and appearance of your stretch marks, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to remove them completely.
No one treatment has been clinically proven to be more successful than any of the others.
There are many products, such as glycolic acid, vitamin E, and cocoa butter, that claim to treat stretch marks of all colors.
While these products are not harmful to the skin, it’s unlikely they’ll completely erase the appearance of stretch marks, the Mayo Clinic says.
Preventing or treating stretch marks by applying lotions, oils, or creams isn’t supported by current research.
Although anyone can get stretch marks, the likelihood increases if:
- you’re female
- your family has a history of stretch marks
- you’re overweight or have obesity
- you’re pregnant
- you experience rapid weight gain or loss
- you use corticosteroid medication
- you have a condition such as Marfan syndrome or Cushing’s syndrome
Creeping Charlie (Also Called Ground Ivy)
This tenacious perennial gets its name from its creeping stems that grow along the ground. Those stems, and its seeds, are how it spreads. And spreads.
Creeping Charlie is a green vine with round, scalloped-edge leaves and small purple flowers. It grows close to the ground and forms a mat-like ground cover.
Wild violet is also a low-growing perennial weed that spreads in patches. But it’s actually pretty, covered in purple flowers.
Creeping Charlie can sometimes be mistaken for wild violet because of their similar flower color and leaves.
Creeping Charlie or Wild Violet: How to Tell?
To tell them apart, look closely at the leaves. If they’re heart-shaped with sawtooth-like serrations on the edges, then it’s probably wild violet. The leaves of Creeping Charlie have a more pronounced scalloped edge.
Another good hint: the leaves of Creeping Charlie smell like mint if you crush them.
How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie
Like most lawn weeds, Creeping Charlie thrives in an unhealthy lawn. So, a healthy lawn is your best defense.
But if it strikes, it’s tough to conquer. It’s not affected by most broadleaf herbicides.
If you have just one or two of these stubborn invaders, pull them out by hand. But if it’s a large patch, that may not be a good idea.
Creeping Charlie will reproduce from its seeds but it also spreads rapidly by growing more roots along its stems.
So if you pull out this weed but miss any stems or throw them into other parts of your lawn, you’re actually creating more Creeping Charlie. Not cool.
When necessary, we tackle Creeping Charlie with a tough, specialty liquid weed control with multiple applications throughout the year. This tough weed requires a professional-grade weed killer. The stuff you can buy at the home improvement store won’t do the job.
Prevention
How do you stop spider veins?
Self-care can sometimes help prevent new spider veins from forming. Tips include:
- Avoid sitting or standing for too long at a time. If you need to sit for a while, stand up every 30 minutes and walk around. If you need to stand for a while, sit down and take a quick break every 30 minutes.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing. Such clothing can interfere with your normal blood circulation and cause spider veins to form.
- Exercise regularly. Moving around can help increase blood flow in your legs. Ask your provider before starting a new exercise plan.
- Flex your feet and ankles. If you need to stay seated or in the same position for a while, move your feet. Flex your ankles up and down. Try to squeeze and relax your calf muscles to support blood flow in your legs.
- Keep a weight that’s healthy for you. A healthy body weight can limit pressure on your blood vessel walls so they function normally.
- Lift up (elevate) your legs. Try to do this at least twice a day for 30 minutes each time. Your legs should be at least as high as your heart.
- Wear compression stockings. Your provider may recommend compression stockings to improve blood flow in your legs. You may also need to wear them for a short time after treatment for spider veins. Always talk to your provider before starting any form of compression therapy.
Outlook / Prognosis
What can I expect if I have spider veins?
Spider veins usually don’t lead to serious problems. Treatment usually gets rid of them and helps you feel better about your skin’s appearance. You may need treatment again in the future if new spider veins form.
If you have CVI, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about what you can expect going forward
Living With
How do I take care of myself?
Follow your provider’s advice for lifestyle changes that may improve blood flow. Common tips include:
- Move around more. Try to increase your level of physical activity each day. This includes intentional exercise, plus adding steps to your normal routine. It also means avoiding long periods of standing or sitting.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. A heart-healthy eating pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help you keep a weight that’s healthy for you. It can also lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Elevate your feet. Placing your feet at the level of your heart or higher can help improve blood flow in your legs. This, in turn, can help prevent new spider or varicose veins from forming. It can also manage symptoms.
When should I seek care?
If you have any concerns about your blood vessels, call your provider and schedule a checkup.
You should also call your provider if:
- A spider vein (or any blood vessel) appears swollen or red, or it feels warm or tender when you touch it. These can be signs of a blood clot.
- You notice a rash or sores on your skin.
- You notice changes to your skin color.
- You’re having symptoms that interfere with your daily life.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Talk to your healthcare provider about your spider veins and what they mean for you. Questions to ask include:
- Should I be concerned about my spider veins?
- Are my spider veins a sign of an underlying issue?
- How can I prevent getting more spider veins?
- Which treatments may help me?
- What can I expect before, during and after treatment?
- What are possible side effects or complications of treatment?
- What lifestyle changes should I make?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
You might not be a fan of how your spider veins look. But rest assured, they’re usually harmless, and treatment can often make them go away. Still, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider about any new spider veins you notice. They can sometimes be an early sign of more serious blood flow problems. Ask your provider about lifestyle changes that can help keep new spider veins from forming.
