Submitted by Drs. Bohn, Nielsen, Castillo, and Benson, The Vein Specialists
Spider veins are those annoying dilated blood vessels that form just under the skin and result in red, blue, or purple clusters of veins visible on the skin’s surface. Besides the cosmetic appearance of the veins, other symptoms may include skin redness; itching; a firm, tender, and warm vein; and, for some patients, pain and swelling. Spider veins can be caused by pregnancy, heredity, weight gain, and standing or sitting for long periods. These are the same factors that cause varicose veins.
Not all the visible veins on your legs are spider veins. Some of your visible veins may be larger size reticular or even varicose veins. If you have only spider veins, walking, anti-inflammatory medications, cold compresses, and compression stockings are conservative treatment approaches. However, in most cases, sclerotherapy is the best option to eliminate spider veins. If the spider veins are found in conjunction with larger varicose veins, an ultrasound is usually necessary to diagnose underlying saphenous vein disease. (In general, this must be treated before spider veins can be treated.)
Sclerotherapy is a simple treatment that uses a tiny needle to inject a solution (called a sclerosant) into the veins, which cause them to collapse and be reabsorbed into the body. The number of treatments needed will vary depending upon the patient and the severity of the spider veins. Many of the veins will disappear during the first treatment and will continue to improve over time. Most patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately after sclerotherapy.
If you are unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of your spider veins, they can be easily corrected. Call now to get your legs evaluated by The Vein Specialists, LLC 309-862-4000 or visit their website at ILVEINS.com.
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