Treatments for spider veins
Unlike varicose veins, spider veins are harmless. Most people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. However, treatment will also alleviate the mild yet persistent discomfort this condition sometimes causes.
The treatment options available include the following:
Applying pressure on the veins in the lower legs can improve blood flow and prevent more spider veins from appearing. Compression also lowers the risk of blood clots and may help relieve swelling.
Compression socks and stockings vary by the amount of pressure they apply. Prescription compression stockings are usually the tightest, and therefore apply the most pressure to the legs and feet. These are only available with a prescription and come in different sizes, strengths, and footless varieties.
Gradient compression stockings provide a medium amount of pressure around the calves, ankles, and feet. These are available for purchase online and at specialist pharmacies. The lightest compression stockings are support pantyhose, which are widely available online and in retail stores.
Lasers can treat spider veins that are small (less than 3mm) and closer to the skin’s surface. A healthcare professional uses a specially focused beam of light to induce clotting in the spider vein, which causes it to dry up. This is the least invasive outpatient treatment for spider veins.
This slightly invasive procedure gets rid of swelling and shrinks the vein over time. Eventually, the vein fades or disappears altogether. Sclerotherapy may take multiple treatments to produce favorable results.
The vein closure system is similar to sclerotherapy, but instead of an irritant, a sticky substance is injected into the veins. The substance closes off the vein, blocking off blood flow. Eventually, the vein fades off or disappears. Just as in sclerotherapy, vein closure may take multiple treatments to take effect.
Sclerotherapy and vein closure can be performed by trained nurses, cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and vein specialists. The procedure is simple enough to conduct in the healthcare professional’s office, and it usually doesn’t require anesthesia.
Following the procedure, the patient is required to wear compression stockings for days or weeks. The entire process may take up to six weeks to succeed.
The number of treatments needed to remove spider veins successfully depends on their severity.
With time, the vein collapses, and after several months or even years, it fades away. EVLT is slightly invasive, so it requires the use of local anesthesia.
Surgery is rarely used to treat anything smaller than mild varicose veins. But if spider veins don’t respond to the less invasive procedures above, surgery is usually the last resort.
How to prevent spider veins
You can prevent spider veins by adopting some lifestyle changes. These self-care tips will prevent new spider veins from appearing and stop existing ones from spreading.
Endovascular Today – Analysis Shows Similar Efficacy for UFE Versus Myomectomy, With Greater Improvement in Menorrhagia and Less Need for Blood Transfusion
March 25, 2019— Research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting found that patients with uterine fibroids treated via embolization (UFE) were less likely to require blood transfusions than those treated with surgical myomectomy and that similar efficacy could be expected between the procedures.
What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes
ULTRASOUND
ULTRASOUND
Your treatment will begin with an ultrasound examination of your veins, arteries, or both, in your legs to diagnose the presence and extent of the disease. Your test results will be immediately available to review with the doctor.
CONSULT
CONSULT
Once we review the results of your diagnostic tests, our physicians will help you develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment for your disease.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
Depending on the extent of disease in your arteries or veins, our specialists may recommend minimally invasive intervention and/or prescribe medications to help your symptoms.
FOLLOW UP
FOLLOW UP
It is important to make sure that you return for every scheduled follow-up appointment to ensure that your disease is appropriately monitored. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or schedule a follow-up appointment with our staff.
