Summer has arrived…It’s time to get your legs ready for shorts and swim suits. It’s also time to address those unsightly spider veins. What do you know about spider veins, their treatment and how they differ from varicose veins? Read on to learn more:
- Varicose veins and spider veins aren’t the same thing. Spider veins are small, thin blood vessels seen just under the skin. Varicose veins are thick, stretched-out veins where blood has pooled.
- They are both genetic. You can inherit the tendencies for spider and varicose veins from either or both sides of the family; they may even skip a generation.
- They’re not merely a cosmetic problem. The most common misconception about varicose veins is that people only get them treated because they are unsightly. Varicose veins are usually not a health issue, but they shouldn’t be ignored. They cause fatigue of the legs, swelling and discomfort. They can also be a warning of deep vein thrombosis, blood clots and poor circulation. The painful symptoms can be eased with compression stockings or panty hose.
- Crossing your legs and wearing high heels do not cause varicose veins. The pooling of blood is more commonly caused by prolonged standing and/or sitting. Other causes may be pregnancy, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and hormonal birth control.
- Men have them, too, but men are less likely to seek treatment.
- Exercise is the best way to prevent spider and varicose veins. The more active and healthy you are the better – walking is one of the best preventative measures.
- Other than medical, professional treatment, there’s no proven way to reduce the appearance of spider veins. Some patients use makeup to cover them.
We offer sclerotherapy as treatment for spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a solution into the veins which causes them to gradually disappear. It is a relatively painless procedure which requires minimal recovery time. For most patients, desired results are achieved in two to four treatment sessions.
If you would like to know more about spider veins and sclerotherapy, call to schedule a consultation appointment, today: 203-226-3600.