Spider veins are small veins that are usually red, blue, or purple that are close to the surface of the skin. They are often seen on the legs and face, as well as areas that change with weight gain or weight loss. Spider veins are a very common problem affecting mostly women. They usually form when blood vessels become damaged or weakened from hormonal shifts and weight gain, which cause veins to dilate or increase pressure in them, or lifestyle factors such as prolonged standing or sitting. Spider veins are also hereditary and tend to run in families.
Spider veins can be prevented sometimes by maintaining a healthy weight, wearing compression stockings, and avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time. However, they are not 100 percent preventable, hence, they can become an issue even if you do your best to prevent their development.
Fortunately, spider veins are highly treatable. They are relatively small compared to varicose veins, which are large, bulging, twisted veins. Let’s talk about the best spider vein treatment and where to go in Boca Raton for superior vein care.
What Treatments Are Available for Spider Veins?
Treatment for spider veins can be performed using minimally invasive techniques, and the most common treatment used by vein doctors is sclerotherapy. The vein doctor injects a chemical sclerosant to irritate the vein walls, massage the area, and apply compression to allow the chemical to be better absorbed by the spider veins. The chemical injected into the spider veins causes the walls of the veins to collapse and stick together, preventing the flow of blood through the abnormal veins, and rerouting it to healthier veins. Eventually, the spider veins will close in a few weeks, but results can be seen as soon as after the treatment.
You can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions to get the best results from treatment. Some of the things you can do after sclerotherapy are to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities that can cause swelling of the veins, however, avoid being completely inactive. Taking walks is fine as a form of exercise in the days following your treatment. In addition, avoiding warm baths is also typically recommended, as this can cause dilation of the veins. Wearing compression stockings can help boost the results of sclerotherapy.
Spider Vein Treatment in Boca Raton, FL
At the Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute, our board-certified and fellowship-trained interventional cardiologists, Dr. Eli S. Levine and Dr. Michael A. Schechter, administer spider vein treatments on a frequent basis. Dr. Levine or Dr. Schechter will conduct a full assessment of your vein issue and craft a customized treatment plan. We provide comprehensive services through personalized recommendations to reduce the risk of vein issues returning. To schedule an appointment with one of our vein doctors, call our vein clinic in Boca Raton today at (561) 235-5621 or use our convenient online request form.