Excessive sun exposure or even skin trauma can cause spider veins. Too much sun causes collagen to break down, bringing spider veins to the surface. Varicose veins, larger ropy-looking veins, on the other hand, are not caused by the sun, but can worsen from the heat.

Wearing high heels can contribute to vein disease. Less blood is pushed out of your legs when the calf muscles do not contract, increasing venous pressure and stressing the valves in your veins. Your best bet is to grab a pair of flats for your daily activities and leave the high heeled shoes for special events and meetings. After taking off your heels, elevate your legs to restore the blood circulation in the area.

Hormonal fluctuations particularly during and after pregnancy can increase your risk of developing spider veins. During pregnancy, the increased volume of blood, weight gain and hormonal shifts may increase your risk of developing spider or varicose veins. The good news is that most spider and varicose veins tend to improve after you give birth, especially if you didn’t have them before you got pregnant. Hormonal therapies and birth control pills can also increase your risk of getting spider veins. Hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can cause small veins to dilate, making them more visible on the skin.

Although spider veins may make you feel self-conscious, they are not harmful to your overall health. Insurance coverage depends on the nature of symptoms, ultrasound findings and your response to conservative therapy. Sclerotherapy for spider vein treatment is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, if your spider veins become painful or you experience leg heaviness, swelling or leg cramps, the possibility of venous insufficiency should be explored prior to simply treating the spider veins. If you have varicose veins in addition to spider veins, having the varicose veins treated could reduce pressure in your legs and prevent the development of additional spider veins.

During the fall or winter, you are covered up, wearing layers of clothing and you probably aren’t thinking about your spider veins. However, the cooler months are actually the best time to seek spider vein treatment because your legs may need time to heal after treatment. Sclerotherapy and laser treatment will cause the spider veins to become inflamed or “angry-looking” for a short period of time. Although you can return to your normal activities right away, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings for a few weeks. They are easier to tolerate and “hide” in the cooler weather.

If your job or lifestyle requires long periods of sitting or standing that increases the tendency for blood to pool in your legs, making spider veins worse. Nurses, hair stylists and teachers tend to experience increased pressure in the veins of their legs and are more likely to develop spider veins. Make a conscious effort to take regular breaks from sitting or standing in one place for long periods or simply shift your weight, roll your ankles, lift your legs and avoid crossing your legs. Compression stockings can help eliminate some of the pressure.