Varicose veins vs spider veins: What's the difference? Spider veins sit close to the surface, thin and web like, usually red or blue in colour. They're largely cosmetic. Pain is rare. Thighs, calves, and sometimes the face are where they show up most. Varicose veins are a different matter entirely. Larger, twisted, visibly raised above the skin, they typically point to faulty valves inside the vein, ones that let blood pool instead of moving back toward the heart properly. Aching, heaviness, swelling, a throbbing sensation after standing too long, these follow from that same underlying pressure problem. Genetics factor into both conditions substantially. Standing for extended periods, pregnancy, excess weight, and vein walls simply weakening with age all play a part too, though varicose veins tend to worsen over time if nothing's done about them. Does one condition lead to the other? Not exactly, though they share similar root causes. Someone with varicose veins isn't unusual to also develop spider veins nearby, given the underlying pressure is often the same. Symptoms beyond appearance, aching legs, visible swelling, veins that seem to be getting worse, are usually what push patients to consult an interventional radiologist in Pune. Spider veins generally respond well to sclerotherapy for cosmetic correction. Varicose veins, on the other hand, sometimes need something more targeted, laser ablation being one option, addressing the faulty vein directly rather than just its appearance. Left alone, varicose veins can occasionally progress toward skin changes or clotting complications. Spider veins rarely follow that path. Noticing either, particularly alongside discomfort? Dr. Santosh Patil, an interventional radiologist in Pune, can help determine which treatment path actually fits.