Spider veins are small tangled blood vessels just under the skin that look like spider webs. Spider veins do not bulge and don't require medical treatment. Any treatment for spider veins is usually considered cosmetic and won't be covered by insurance. The average cost of treatment per leg is from $200 to $600 depending on the procedure.
Varicose veins are the blue or purple colored bulges that can appear on a person's legs. Any vein in the body can become varicose but this usually occurs in the lower extremities because walking and standing puts pressure on the veins causing them to twist and bulge.
There are five major risk factors associated with the development of varicose veins. The first factor is sitting or standing for long periods of time. Blood flow is hindered when you are in the same position for long periods of time. Your muscles don't contract to send blood back to the heart. The second is obesity. Extra weigh due to obesity puts more pressure on the veins in your legs. The third is the normal aging process which affects the valves in your veins causing them to malfunction. The fourth factor is sex. Women have higher chances of developing varicose veins due to hormonal changes that affect the veins and the fifth factor is heredity.