They can cause you pain and discomfort and they just look awful to put it in simple words. We are talking about varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels that can twist and turn and be seen through your skin. They usually develop in your legs.

On the other hand, spider veins are smaller than varicose, but still twist and turn. These veins can have several colors to it such as red, purple, and blue. They are most often seen on the chest, face or legs.

So what can cause these somewhat frightening crawlies underneath the skin?

- Heredity

- Occupations that involve a lot of standing (i.e. nurses, hair stylists, teachers and factory workers are a few examples)

- Obesity

- Stages of life with hormonal changes (i.e. puberty, pregnancy and menopause)

- Use of birth control pills

- Postmenopausal hormonal replacement

- History of blood clots

- Conditions that can increase pressure in the abdomen (i.e. tumors, constipation, garments such as girdles)

Once you know what you have and how you got them, the next decision you probably want to make is how to treat them. Here are some options:

- Endovenous laser treatment. By inserting a small laser fiber into a vein, the vein will collapse. This is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia.

- Radiofrequency occlusion. This procedure entails a small catheter inserted into the vein and delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall. The vein will be heated, collapse and then seal shut.

- Surgery. Some surgical procedures include Ligation (tying off a vein), stripping (eliminating a piece of the vein), ambulatory phlebectomy (allows removal of large surface veins through small cuts), and endoscopic vein surgery.

- Lasers and intense pulsed light. Using heat energy will damage or destroy abnormal veins.

- Wear support stockings. This is the easiest and temporary fix to relieve the discomfort. There's a good chance you can even find these stockings in your local pharmacy.

- Make some changes to your lifestyle. It may help to lose a few pounds if needed. Walking can help ease the affects of varicose veins and eating a low-salt diet helps reduce swelling and water retention.

- Sclerotherapy. A highly concentrated salt solution is used in this procedure that is injected directly into the vein. Over three to six weeks, the vein will disappear.

So, there are options. Whether you feel pain and discomfort from these veins or if you simply want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons, there are plenty of ways to do it.