What Causes Ear Veins and How are They Treated?
If you’re someone who has noticeable veins on your ears and are wondering what’s going on to cause veiny ears, don’t worry; you’re not alone.
Ear Veins: What They Are And How To Treat Them
Spider veins can appear anywhere in the body. Commonly, we can find spiders veins on our legs, on our hands, on our torsos, and sometimes on our faces. Believe it or not, spider veins can also appear in the ears. In the ears? You say. Yes, it can appear in the ears and its causes are similar to those found anywhere else in the body.
A source indicates that “an estimated 30% to 60% of adults have spider or varicose veins.” Today, we will talk about telangiectasia, its causes, and how to treat it.
What Causes Ear Veins and How are They Treated
Veins are a main part of the circulatory system and their main function is to help keep blood flowing through the body back to the heart. If a vein becomes damaged, it can longer perform its job as it should. Veins are found all throughout the body, including the legs, arms, feet, neck, hands, face, and even behind your ears. The veins that you may notice on the backside of your ears are part of the Posterior Auricular Vein, which is the vein of the head. You can develop both spider veins or varicose veins on the ears. The main differences between these types of veins is their size and appearance. Spider veins are smaller, while varicose veins are typically larger and appear as swollen, raised, and often bulging and twisted like a rope.
Treatment for ear veins largely depends on the size. For smaller spider veins, the two most common treatment options are sclerotherapy or laser treatment. Sclerotherapy is a treatment involving a medical solution that is injected directly into the affected vein to cause it to collapse, seal shut and then become naturally absorbed and removed from the body. Laser treatment is the best option for non-invasive procedures. For this type of treatment, the affected vein is targeted just as with sclerotherapy, but instead of a medicated solution, the vein doctor will use laser energy to treat the vein.
Those veins on your ears show that there is something going on with your circulatory system. Ear blood vessels that are visible beneath the surface of the skin can be caused by a variety of different things such as family genetics, aging, changes in hormones, or even if you’ve been in the sun for too long.
Don’t be alarmed by what looks like a vein popping out of head. There are easy ways to treat these veins, and it does not always mean you need to see a vein specialist. You may be able to lessen the visibility of the apparent blood vessels in ear that is bothering you, simply by making these life changes:
For larger varicose veins, vein doctors may use either ambulatory phlebectomy or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) to treat the ear veins. EVLA is one of the most effective varicose vein treatments, with a 98-100% success rate. For this procedure, a very thin fiber laser is inserted into the affected vein and laser energy heats up the vein, causes it to collapse and seals it shut. Ambulatory Phlebectomy is an actual surgical procedure that uses local anesthesia, and incisions are made into the body to remove the damaged vein.
1. Be smart about staying out in the sun: If you are someone who loves soaking up the sun, make sure to keep your ears covered with SPF of at least 30, and wear a hat. Too much exposure to harmful UV rays can make those ear veins stand out even more.
2. Practice healthy habits: Stay active, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid sitting still for too long. The way to achieve healthy veins throughout your entire body is to keep circulation flowing smoothly. A sedentary lifestyle can make ear veins weak in the same way that veins in other parts of the body can become weak or damaged.
3. Soothe your skin: Using gentle creams or oils containing vitamin E, aloe vera, or witch hazel can help promote skin health and reduce inflammation.
4. Try holistic alternatives: Acupuncture has been said to help improve circulation and blood flow, so this could be a helpful treatment if you are looking for something more natural and holistic.
While having veins in your ears is normal, if they become enlarged or start to bulge out or become discolored, it might be time to see a vein doctor for a consultation to determine the best treatment option for you and your vein condition. Poor circulation in the body can lead to damaged veins, even in the ears. Whether you are suffering from larger varicose veins in the ears, or smaller spider veins, the vein specialists at Fox Vein & Laser Experts can help.
What Are Spider Veins?
To learn how to treat spider veins we must briefly talk about what it is. Spider veins are small dilated blood vessels that can appear on the surface of the skin. Generally, spider veins are anywhere between .5 millimeters to 3 millimeters in diameter. They are different from varicose veins in that varicose veins are larger in size, are swollen, and raised. Spider veins, on the other hand, are much smaller in size, look like fine lines (or a web-like appearance), and typically appear unraised on the skin.
Varicose Veins in Ear
Can you get varicose veins in-ear, too? You ask. Yes, both spider veins and varicose veins can appear in the ears. Although, varicose veins in the ears may be a sign of a more serious condition. Contact your healthcare professional for more information. Please contact our Fort Lauderdale vein doctor for varicose vein treatment at Fox Vein & Laser Experts.
Spider Veins and Varicose Veins Causes
Spider veins and varicose veins are similar in that they are visible on our bodies. Their causes are also similar. To name a few, heredity, hormones, obesity, environmental factors (like exposure to ultraviolet rays), and activities that involve a lot of standing for extended periods of time are some causes of spider and varicose veins.
Ear Veins Removal and Ear Veins Treatment
Now that we have briefly discussed what spider veins (and varicose veins) are and what causes them, let’s talk about treatment options.
Sclerotherapy and laser therapy are the two most common forms of treatment for spider veins. In sclerotherapy, a health professional injects a solution into the vein. The solution causes the spider veins to collapse, leading to its disappearance. Laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure that involves targeting the spider vein from outside the skin using direct light.
Ablation and ambulatory phlebectomy are considered to be treatment options for larger varicose veins. Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves using lasers or radiofrequency to cauterize or destroy the varicose vein. Ambulatory phlebectomy in Miami is a surgical procedure that uses local anesthesia. In this procedure, a health professional will make tiny incisions in the skin to remove larger-sized varicose veins.
Varicose Vein Behind Ear
Whether you have varicose veins in-ear or spider veins, contact your health professional to get further information about the type of treatment options suitable for your situation. A healthcare professional will help guide you in recommending and providing the best ear vein removal and ear veins treatment for your body.
However, if that vein behind ear is causing pain, discomfort, or any other symptoms, it’s time to see a vein doctor. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and vein health, your doctor may suggest a vein treatment to help get rid of the damaged vein and/or reduce its appearance.
In addition to an interruption in blood flow and circulation, visible veins could be what happens if you pierce a vein in your ear. This can lead to various consequences depending on the severity of the injury and how promptly it’s addressed.
Piercing a vein in your ear can lead to bleeding, pain, swelling, bruising, and potential complications such as infection. Prompt and appropriate wound care is essential to minimize the risk of complications and promote healing.
If you experience significant bleeding or other concerning symptoms after piercing a vein in your ear, seek medical attention promptly for proper evaluation and treatment. Having veiny ears might seem like no big deal, but it’s essential to keep an eye on them and take care of your vascular health.
Contact Fox Vein & Laser Experts
Vein Center Miami at Fox Vein & Laser Experts is here to help you. Contact us at 954.627.1045 today for your ear veins removal Start a new confident life with a beautiful face.
FAQs
What are the first signs of ear veins?
The first signs of ear veins are similar to the signs of varicose veins or spider veins on any other part of your body. Spider veins will appear as small, threadlike red veins intertwined in clusters of the body. The medical term for these veins is Telangiectasia, but because of their size and shape, most people refer to them as spider veins. Varicose veins, on the other hand, have many more signs and symptoms, and more often are the cause of cosmetic concern as well. Varicose veins are larger, with a bulging and twisted rope-like appearance. They may cause excess itching, tenderness, burning sensations, swelling or in some cases, bleeding. If you have ear veins, make sure to pay close attention and see a vein doctor if you notice any changes in the appearance of the vein or if they start to cause pain and discomfort.
What is the most common cause of ear veins?
In general, damaged veins occur when the valves and walls of the vein become affected. This can be due to a lot of different reasons, some that may be out of your control, such as genetics, a family history of varicose veins or blood clotting disorders, hormonal changes, natural aging, and gender. Additional risk factors include being obese, as the excess weight can put pressure on the veins, and sitting or standing for long periods of time, causing constriction of blood flow. If you find that this is an issue for you, take breaks every 30 minutes or so to get up and move around. Movement is key for proper blood flow.
Which vitamin is good for the ears?
The best vitamins to take for ear health are magnesium combined with vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins and minerals, when taken together, can help with any kind of ear sensitivities you may have, decrease the risk for hearing loss due to loud noises, and also reduce the risk for developing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing, clicking or buzzing noise in one of both of your ears, but others cannot hear it. Folic acid is also said to be helpful for those who experience hearing loss due to the natural aging process.
Can you feel your ear veins?
If you have developed varicose veins behind your ears, there is a chance you will be able to feel them as they become swollen or begin to bulge out of the skin. If you are experiencing this, we recommend seeing a vein doctor to check if there is risk for developing a more serious underlying vein condition.
How long do ear veins take to heal?
While all patients go through the healing process differently, most tend to see a difference in the signs and symptoms of their varicose veins within a week or so. Full results may take up to weeks or months, depending on the severity of your vein condition and the type of treatment performed.
Is it normal to see veins in the ears?
It is possible to have smaller spider veins in the ears, as well as larger varicose veins. What causes ear veins is essentially the same as the reasons for visible veins on other parts of the body. Some of those causes include things like genes and family history, hormones, obesity, exposure to UV raps, and sitting and/or standing for too long of a time period, to name a few.
While it is normal to see small ear veins like spider veins, if you can see larger, bulging varicose veins that stick out of the skin, or are itchy, discolored, and painful, it might be a sign of an ear vein problem. This should not be ignored in case there is a more serious venous condition developing. In this case, it is highly recommended to call your healthcare provider or make an appointment for a consultation with a vein doctor who can assess the situation and provide the proper treatment for ear veins.
Are there any veins in your ear?
Yes, there are veins situated on the backside of the ear known as the Posterior Auricular Vein. This is the vein of the head, but it also runs behind the ears. The Posterior Auricular Vein drains from the scalp and into the external jugular vein.
Can you hear your ear veins?
You cannot hear ear veins, but if you are constantly hearing a sound in one or both of your ears that others do not hear, you are experiencing a condition known as tinnitus. It might be a ringing, buzzing, clicking or humming sound. Your doctor will be able to hear the noise, just as you do, through a stethoscope, but no one else hears it but you, and that is because the sound comes from within your body.
The noise will follow a rhythmic beat and can range from mildly irritating and distracting to severely loud and unbearable. In some cases, you might experience the sound getting louder when you are surrounded by other outside noises.
Although these sounds do not indicate an ear vein problem, one of the lesser common causes of tinnitus is damaged blood vessels. If you suffer from any kind of blood vessel disorder, blood might move through the veins and arteries with much more force and pressure, and this could result in tinnitus or exacerbate the symptoms.
What is the best treatment for ear veins?
If you are wondering how to treat ear veins, there are a couple of options to choose from depending on your individual ear vein problem and health history. If your ear veins are smaller, similar to spider veins, sclerotherapy, and laser therapy are the best treatment options. Sclerotherapy uses a medicated solution, while laser therapy uses direct light.
The best treatment for ear veins that are larger varicose veins is ablation since it is minimally invasive and uses laser or radiofrequency to destroy the vein. Ambulatory phlebectomy is also an option but does require surgery and local anesthesia.