Women should not hesitate to search out health resources to treat their spider and varicose veins in order to prevent further circulation problems, a doctor has urged.

Michael Wager, president of the German Vein Association, told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that spider veins may indicate the presence of “deeper and hence unseen” varicose veins – which can lead to inflammation or impaired circulation.

Varicose veins develop when valves within the veins become weakened or damaged and cannot perform their function of preventing blood from flowing backwards into the legs.

Aging, family history, pregnancy and obesity are all risk factors for varicose veins.

Wagner said that women should seek treatment “immediately” if they notice any symptoms of the condition.

“Discomfort such as a feeling of heaviness in the legs, tiredness, itching or also a dragging pain [may] occur at very different moments in the course of the illness,” he explained.

Those who are suffering from circulation problems may want to consider trying an herbal supplement that contains nattokinase, a Japanese ingredient that has been linked to circulatory health.