Spider veins are tiny red or blue veins, usually about the size of a fine thread or a bit larger. They usually resemble a spider's web, hence the name "spider vein." These veins appear primarily on the legs or face.

Varicose veins result from poor circulation in the legs caused by diseased or damaged valves that control proper blood flow. When valves in the veins no longer close tightly, blood can leak backwards, causing the vein to enlarge with blood and the vessel walls to weaken. Factors that contribute to your risk of developing the disease include a family history, an occupation that requires standing for long periods of time, obesity and high impact aerobics. Spider and varicose veins can also occur because of hormone fluctuations, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Leg veins can appear after an injury to the leg or a broken bone. The elderly are at higher risk since veins tend to loose their elasticity with age.

While you may not be able to prevent varicose veins if you have a family history of this vein disease, you can take steps to improve your health and well being before treatment becomes necessary. Here are some examples:

• Exercise by walking, dancing, jogging, cycling or swimming to help improve circulation by strengthening the leg muscles that push blood up the vein.
• Sit with the legs elevated. When on a long trip, get out of the car every hour and walk around.
• Maintain an appropriate body weight.
• Wear prescribed therapeutic support stockings if you're pregnant, stand a lot, or are confined to bed after an illness or surgery.
• Use adequate sun protection on your face and neck.
  Wear low heeled shoes and the appropriate athletic shoes when exercising to help reduce the possibilities of injury to the calf muscles.
• Current treatments
• During your initial consultation, Dr. Mackay will plan your treatment based on an examination of your veins and other medical factors.

Options include:

• Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, which is an injection of a special medicine into the problem vein
  endovenous laser treatment, a novel technique using laser energy directly inside the vein
• VNUS Closure, a minimally invasive therapy to treat large deep-seated varicose veins
  phlebectomy, a micro-surgical procedure (virtually no scars or stitches)
• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), a non-ablative procedure which uses intense pulsed light to rejuvenate the skin

Dr. Mackay has helped thousands of patients eliminate their spider and varicose veins with these state-of-the-art in-office procedures. They are safe, effective and the results are...simply wonderful!