ABOUT SPIDER VEINS
CAUSES & OTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS
What are they?
Spider veins are very superficial, thread-like veins, frequently arborizing and looking like tiny branches, generally red or dark blue or purple in color, and frequently found in the legs, ankles, and feet and also on the face.
They are also called telangiectasia or broken capillaries, and are thought to form from dilatation of the tiny blood vessels just under the skinīs surface.
What causes them?
The exact cause of telangiectasia may not be readily apparent, but we know that heredity has a role, and local trauma may be responsible in some cases. Many cases are found in people with certain types of occupations that require them to be on their feet for prolonged periods of time. Hormonal factors may play a role since spider veins are more frequent in women and more so in women who are pregnant.
Other Treatments Options
There are different treatments utilized for spider vein removal, depending on how pronounced they are, the diameter of the vessels, and other factors.
For smaller, more localized spider veins, the use of creams containing Vitamin K may give good results.
More extensive spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. With this form of therapy, a sclerosing agent, usually a concentrated form of saline solution (salt water), or specially made chemical solutions, are injected into the spider vein. These solutions cause inflammatory changes in the inside of the vein causing it to close. This will prevent blood from flowing through the vein, causing it to collapse. With time, it becomes scar tissue which is then removed from the body.
Sclerotherapy is a safe treatment for spider veins but may require multiple sessions. After each treatment, you may be required to wear compression bandages or support stockings for 2-3 weeks post-treatment. The treatment has no influence on whether or not you may develop new spider veins in other parts of the body.
Electric needles are useful in the treatment of spider veins. With this form of therapy, a small electrical current is applied to the spider vein causing it to collapse and seal-off, and subsequently undergoing the same removal mechanisms as with sclerotherapy.
