Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small and dilated veins that can appear anywhere on the body, but are usually found on the legs, ankles, and feet. Spider veins are called so because they usually congregate, forming into clusters of red, blue, or purple lines that resemble a web.
While spider veins are usually benign, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Such drives many people to go see a vein specialist to get them removed.
If you’re on this page because you’re in search of a treatment procedure that can effectively get rid of your spider veins, the information below will equip you with what you need to know.
Treatment Options Available for Spider Veins
Below are the two common procedures done to remove spider veins.
o Sclerotherapy
First introduced in the United States in the 1930s, sclerotherapy remains the gold standard for getting rid of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy is an in-office procedure that involves a vein doctor injecting an irritant solution known as a sclerosant directly into the problematic veins. The sclerosant works by irritating the lining of vein and cause it to develop a scar tissue, thereby preventing any blood to flow through it. The vein then collapses, seals shut, and gets reabsorbed by the body. When this happens, blood flow then gets automatically rerouted through surrounding healthy veins.
The procedure is done using image guidance (ultrasound) to ensure the sclerosing agent is administered exactly into where it is supposed to go.
o Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is an innovative method for eliminating spider veins.
Like sclerotherapy, EVLT is done in office using image guidance. Your vein doctor will start the procedure with administering local anesthesia into where they will create the incision to numb your leg and keep you comfortable.
Once your vein doctor maps out the problematic vein, they will create an incision through which they will insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter). A laser at the end of the catheter heats the lining of the vein, causing it to scar and seal shut. Blood then automatically gets rerouted through the healthy veins nearby.
What to Expect After Your Spider Vein Treatment
After your spider vein treatment, your vein doctor will likely recommend that you wear compression stockings, elevate your affected leg to help ease the swelling, and skip strenuous activities (for a week).
You may develop mild redness, swelling, tightness, and bruising after treatment, but these often dissipate within a few weeks.
Albeit spider vein treatment procedures are minimally invasive, like any other medical procedure, complications are possible. Nonetheless, they are extremely rare. You just need to make sure to follow your doctor’s after-care instructions to further lower your risk for complications.
Depending on the severity of your spider veins, your vein doctor may recommend several sessions for sclerotherapy to achieve the best results. With EVLT, on the other hand, a single session is all you might need, as it can effectively shrink and eliminate your spider veins.
Spider Vein Treatment in Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and Largo, FL
At Edward G. Mackay and Associates, we offer sclerotherapy and EVLT among other treatment options for vein disorders with the foremost goal of achieving the quickest but the best possible outcomes while ensuring the optimal comfort of our patients.
To arrange an appointment with our board-certified, fellowship-trained vascular surgeon, Dr. Edward Mackay, contact our friendly staff by calling (727) 527-2888 or filling out this convenient form. We look forward to seeing you at one of our three convenient locations: in Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, or Largo, Florida.