Spider veins are the small red, blue, and purple vessels that are visible through the skin, usually on the legs and face. There are several factors that could cause a person to be more likely to develop spider veins, including:
- Occupations that require long periods of standing
- Genetics/Heredity
- Being overweight/obese
- Hormones of puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
- Birth control pill usage
- Hormonal replacement therapy
- Blood clot history
- Conditions causing pressure in the abdomen area
- Trauma/Injury to the skin
- Previous surgeries
- Exposure to UV rays
Spider veins tend to develop much more commonly in women than in men. As an individual ages, he/she is much more likely to develop them. It has been estimated that between 30-60 percent of adults experience spider veins, or even varicose veins.
4 Ways to Treat Spider Veins
There are several major ways to treat spider veins. Following are a few of the most used ones:
Changes in lifestyle
Simple things such as losing weight- if necessary, taking care of your skin, and even going for walks can help to diminish spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
This procedure has been around since the 1930s and is one of the popular options for treating spider veins. Sclerotherapy uses an extremely concentrated salt solution or a special detergent injected directly into the vein. This causes the vein to gradually disappear over the course of 3-6 weeks. Sclerotherapy is fairly inexpensive and simple, and is an outpatient procedure.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
In this procedure, a very small laser is inserted into the vein, sending pulses of laser light. The laser causes the vein to collapse. The procedure is an outpatient procedure, using local anesthesia.
Radiofrequency Occlusion
For this therapy, a small catheter is put into the vein, delivering radiofrequency energy to the walls. This results in the vein heating up, collapsing, and then sealing shut. It is an outpatient procedure, sometimes using local anesthesia.
If these options are not available to you immediately, many times people choose the cosmetic route when treating veins by wearing support stockings. You can typically purchase support stockings at surgical supply stores, and even some pharmacies. You can get them in various styles: pantyhose, above the knee, and below the knee.
Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum is a Podiatric Physician and Surgeon serving patients in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.
Do you have questions or concerns?
Call or email today for immediate answers to your questions.
BOCA/DELRAY
16244 S. Military Trail #290, Delray Beach, FL 33445
561-499-0033
BOYNTON BEACH
8198 Jog Road #100, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
561-499-0033
No responses yet