Having spider veins or varicose veins may affect more than your appearance. Such veins can cause severe malaise. Many varicose veins put you at risk on your legs for a complication like open sores, or blood clot.
Minimally invasive treatments such as endovenous laser treatments can eliminate or fade the nerves in the legs. Treatment may also reduce symptoms such as pain and fatigue, and may also prevent complications.
Why Varicose Veins Develop
Varicose veins and spider veins are vulnerable veins. As small, one-way valves within the veins relax, they weaken. Such valves move blood in one command in safe veins back to our hearts. When these valves fail, blood flows backward and builds up in the vein. The blood which is extra in the bloodstream puts pressure on the vein walls.
The venous walls weaken and bulge with continuous pressure. As this continues to happen, varicose or spider veins start to appear. Some individuals are at a higher risk of these veins forming. You have a higher risk if blood relatives do have them. Most people get them because most days of the week, they sit or stand for long periods. During pregnancy and age, such veins get more populated.
How Varicose Veins Are Treated
There are several ways to treat spider veins. Dermatologists recommend different types of treatments. Keep reading to find out what these are.
Sclerotherapy Treatment
Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment of varicose veins in the legs. Dermatologists have developed sclerotherapy over the years to make it safer and give better outcomes to the patients.
Sclerotherapy allows the vein walls to bind together so that the blood can no longer flow through it. It increases circulation and decreases swelling in the treated leg. Spider veins disappear usually within 3 to 6 weeks. It can take around 3 to 4 months for varicose veins to fade.
You may need 2 or 3 treatments to get the best results. These treatments may be performed by a dermatologist during an office visit. You won’t need anesthesia.
Endovenous Laser Therapy and Radiofrequency Ablation
Newer therapies include EVLT and RFA. Both treatments work to destroy veins from the inside. EVLT is used by dermatologists to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. RFA is used in the treatment of large venous varicosities. Here’s what happens when you get these treatments:
- You are given local anesthesia, which numbs the treatment area. The anesthesia causes swelling in the area too.
- The dermatologist then makes a small incision and implants a laser or catheter fiber (for EVLT) into the vein.
- The laser or radiofrequency tool that heats up the vein is triggered by your dermatologist, causing it to collapse and seal off.
- A compression stocking will be put on each leg after treatment.
- You’ll need to take daily walks and wear the compression stockings as instructed to help prevent possible side effects. Most patients wear 1 to 2 weeks of compression stockings
You can try any of these treatments but don’t pick either without consulting your doctor first. They will be able to guide you best!
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