Spider veins, or thread veins, are smaller than varicose veins. They are usually red. They may look like tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins can usually be seen under the skin, but they do not make the skin bulge out like varicose veins do. Spider veins are usually found on the legs or the face.

There are two main systems of veins in the legs:

• Deep veins: The leg muscles squeeze the deep veins during walking, carrying most of the blood back up the legs to the heart
• Superficial veins: These occur under the skin which are less important and can form varicose veins

Maybe. During pregnancy, you have more blood pumping through your body to support your unborn baby. The extra blood can cause your veins to get larger. Your growing uterus (womb) also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins may appear around the vagina and buttocks.

For some women, varicose veins shrink or disappear after childbirth. For others, varicose veins stay after childbirth, and symptoms continue to get worse. Women may also get more varicose veins or spider veins with each additional pregnancy.

Compression stockings put pressure on your veins, which increases blood flow from your legs. There are three kinds of compression stockings:

• Support pantyhose, which give the least amount of pressure. These are sold in most stores.
• Over-the-counter gradient compression hose, which give a little more pressure around the foot, ankle, and lower leg, where pressure is needed most to move the blood back toward your heart. These are sold in medical supply stores and some drugstores.
• Prescription-strength gradient compression hose, which offer the greatest amount of pressure to the feet, ankles, and lower legs. You may need a prescription from your doctor to buy them, especially if your insurance plan covers it. You will also need to be fitted by someone who has been trained to do this. These hose are sold in medical supply stores and some drugstores.

Some stronger compression stockings can hurt people with certain medical conditions, such as certain types of heart disease or heart failure. Ask your doctor or nurse if it's safe for you to use prescription-strength compression stockings or what strength would be safe for you.