Varicose veins are ropey and large, whereas spider veins are dilated small veins in the skin. When you think about these conditions, you make associate them with older adults. Are you too young for spider veins? Can you get varicose veins at any age? While it’s true that your risk of vascular leg pain increases as you get older, you may already have varicose or spider veins regardless of your age. Many people see their first spider veins in their 30s. 

In this post, we’ll look at varicose vein and spider vein risk factors for younger adults, what symptoms to look for and the spider vein treatments that are available.

Can You Get Varicose Veins in Your 30s?

You can develop varicose veins and spider veins in your 30s, although it’s less common, unless, of course, you have been pregnant. Varicose veins are a natural part of aging, as 70% of women and 40% of men have them by age 60. Veins circulate your blood. Over time, they enlarge, stretch and weaken, which is why they become misshapen or discolored. Varicose veins can even cause pain. When you’re a younger adult, various activities and risk factors can cause you to develop leg pain in your 30s.

Risk Factors for Varicose Veins in Your 30s

You can develop varicose veins and spider veins at any age, but the following activities and risk factors can increase your chance of developing venous insufficiency early. Here are a few risk factors for developing varicose veins or spider veins in your 30s:

• Hormonal changes: Many women develop spider veins during pregnancy or as a result of hormonal changes from birth control.
• Genetics: Like blood clots, varicose veins can run in the family.
• Wearing high heels: Heels restrict your feet and ankles’ movement, so veins may struggle to pump blood back to the heart.
• Alcohol use: Frequent alcohol consumption can affect your blood flow and promote spider veins.
• Fair skin: For those with very fair or light skin, your veins are already visible, making developing spider veins more noticeable.
• Sun exposure: We know that ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer, and with that skin damage can come blood vessel inflammation.

Symptoms and Treatment Options

If you have spider veins, these smaller veins may look like little branched lines of red, blue or purple. Spider Veins can sting, itch and burn and are not just a cosmetic issue. Unlike varicose veins, circumstances in which your spider veins cause pain are rare.

Some patients seek treatment because of how their spider veins look. If you find spider veins unsightly, there are treatment options available. At Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center, we offer spider vein sclerotherapy, which may reduce your spider veins’ appearance and promote healthier-looking veins. What’s more, we provide veinlite sclerotherapy, which can fade your surface-level spider veins.

Get Help for Your Spider Veins Today

Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center can help you get rid of or lessen your spider veins regardless of your age. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll explore your treatment options together.