Spider veins typically do not cause any serious health concerns, but you may consider them to be unsightly, and you may wish to have them removed.
Luckily, there are several treatment options. Learn today what spider veins are and what you can do to remove them.
Are Spider Veins Smaller Varicose Veins?
Though sharing part of their name, spider veins are not varicose veins. Spider veins don’t impact the veins, the vessels of your body that carry oxygen-less blood back to the heart. Rather, spider veins are injured capillaries, venules, arterioles, and smaller blood vessels responsible for oxygen and nutrient transfer.
Though different, spider and varicose veins have a similar cause: a pooling up of blood. Because of this, they have similar treatments.
Will Exercise and Compression Garments Get Rid of Spider Veins?
Though exercise and compression garments can be excellent tools in managing spider vein symptoms and can help increase blood flow and circulation, they cannot remove spider veins. For that, you need treatment.
What Are the Treatments for Spider Veins?
There are two major treatment options for spider veins, medically known as telangiectasia: sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment.
Sclerotherapy is injecting a special solution into the vein that is utilized to harmlessly collapse the spider vein. Sclerotherapy can be incredibly effective, with some studies showing 50-80% of injected vessels being eliminated in each session.
Sclerotherapy may have variable results depending on the size of your spider veins, with smaller veins disappearing in a few weeks and larger ones requiring a few months.
Endovenous laser treatment utilizes a laser probe inserted by a catheter to directly pulse the vessels, sealing them off and causing them to disappear. Endovenous laser treatments are also an excellent option in treating spider veins, showing a similar efficacy rate as sclerotherapy.
Treat Your Spider Veins at the Vascular Institute of Virginia
Though usually harmless, spider veins can worsen in appearance. They may be signs of chronic venous insufficiency, leading to pain, leg ulcers, cellulitis, and negative health outcomes. Don’t delay in finding treatment.
At the Vascular Institute of Virginia, you can expect a team of doctors eager to provide you with care and relief. Their doctors are some of the best in the state, comprised of board-certified surgeons and previous winners of the “Top Doc” distinction of the Northern Virginia Magazine. They are all led by a passion for patient-focused care.
You can find spider vein relief by calling 703-763-5224 to request an appointment in Fredericksburg, Fairfax, or Woodbridge, VA,
