About Varicose and Spider Veins

For many patients, varicose veins and spider veins (a mild and asymptomatic variation of varicose veins) are simply a cosmetic concern. For other patients, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes, the condition can lead to more serious problems. Varicose veins may also signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.

Varicose veins appear as snarled, bluish-purple lines, usually forming on the legs. The condition is caused when the veins weaken. The small valves within a vein lose the ability to push blood back up to the heart. As a result, the blood pools and the vein puffs up and becomes more visible under the skin.

Varicose veins are common, primarily affecting women. More than 20 percent of women develop some form of varicose veins, either during pregnancy or as they age. As mentioned, for many patients, varicose veins and spider veins are simply of cosmetic concern. For others, varicose veins can cause severe, aching pain and may lead to more serious problems, such as skin ulcers and blood clots. A medical evaluation can determine the severity of the condition and treatment options.

Miramar Dermatology/Skin and Cancer Associates offers state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for patients with varicose veins, ranging from complex medical care to treat or help prevent serious medical problems to cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Diagnosis

A medical diagnosis and evaluation will help determine the severity of the varicose veins, whether the patient is at risk for more serious medical problems, and options for clinical or home-based treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment programs are tailored to each individual patient and will depend on various factors.

Treatment options include sclerotherapy (microsclerotherapy), laser surgery, minimally invasive catheter-assisted procedures, surgical vein stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy and endoscopic vein surgery. Patients may receive a combination of treatments, and most patients participate in some form of self-care therapies as well.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is used to close small and medium-sized varicose veins. The doctor and his assistant perform simple injections of the involved veins with a solution that causes a scar to form within the vein, which forces the vein to close and the blood to reroute through healthier veins. The procedure does not require anesthesia and can be done right in the office with minimal discomfort

At Miramar Dermatology/Skin and Cancer Associates, we use improved solutions and injection techniques that increase the success rate for removal of spider veins.

Laser-assisted procedures

This minimally invasive surgery is a newer treatment, usually for larger varicose veins. Patients are able to go home the same day and resume activities within a day. In the procedure, the doctor inserts a very thin tube (catheter) into the enlarged vein and applies laser heat through the tip of the catheter. When the catheter is withdrawn, the heat causes the vein to collapse and the blood to reroute through healthier veins. Catheter-assisted laser treatment is able to treat the larger involved veins.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

In this procedure, the doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. The patient is given local anesthesia and goes home the same day. Scarring is generally minimal.

Self-care and home-based therapies

An important aspect for treating varicose veins is for patients to take steps that they can do themselves. Such home-based therapies include:

• Leg elevation: Raising the legs above the heart for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times daily, will drain pooled blood from the legs.
• Compression therapy: The patient wears elastic support stockings all day to help keep blood flowing up from the legs to the heart. Special compression stockings are available through pharmacies and online.
• Exercise: Any activity that gets the legs moving, such as walking, swimming or dancing, will stimulate good blood flow in the veins and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
• Weight loss: Excess body weight adds stress and strain to the leg veins.
• Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing: Doing such activities for a prolonged time impedes blood flow to the heart.
• Avoiding sitting with legs crossed
• Avoiding high heels and tight clothing that can restrict blood flow in the legs
• Good skin care, such as using skin lotions to prevent fragile skin from cracking, and avoiding sun or using sunscreen, especially for fair-skinned people

There is no such thing as a foolish question! Call Miramar Dermatology/Skin and Cancer Associates at 954-447-3200 for a consultation and evaluation.