Last week in my previous blog, I talked about leg spider veins, well, this week, I am going to tell you some important facts about thread veins on the nose, cheeks and face.
The medical term for spider veins on the nose and cheeks is facial telangiectasia.
These are small blood vessels in the skin typically measuring less than 1 mm. They are very common and they are unsightly and disfiguring. They can be congenital, that is you may have been born with them or they may have developed over the course of many years. Sun exposure is the main aggravating factor for their appearance, but other important causes are liver disease, rosacea, smoking, use of steroid creams and alcohol. Many people who have an out-door occupation such as farmers, window cleaners, gardeners or builders can get them because of sun exposure and ultraviolet damage to the skin. However, those with out-door hobbies and those who take part in sport can be affected, for example people who sail, enjoy walking or hiking or those who take frequent holidays to the sun. Both men and women can be affected and many are worried not only about the appearance but also about the stigma of being labelled a “boozer” or an alcoholic.
Fortunately, they can be treated very simply using a medical procedure called short wave diathermy. It is a little bit like electrolysis. The skin is numbed with local anesthetic cream and a sterile single use needle is used to apply a precise medical electrical current to the blood vessel. The electrical current cauterises the blood vessel and over the course of a few weeks it disperses. In general the results are excellent. Unlike leg spider veins there is no need for a duplex scan but after successful treatment, it is important to address any pre-disposing factors to minimise the risk of the spider veins reappearing. This usually means using a good quality UV protecting sun cream to reduce the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
Contact me today for a confidential chat
If you’re worried about facial thread veins and would like a confidential chat please do get in touch. I am happy to offer simple advice by telephone or email for free and without obligation.
The VeinCare Centre also offers a free assessment with our nurse, Gaynor Hughes. This assessment is completely free and without obligation. If you would like to have an appointment with Gaynor please call 0800 698 3467.