The Connection Between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
The root cause of spider and varicose veins is slow or reversal of the venous flow with pooling of venous blood in the legs when sitting or standing. Many patients with spider veins also have varicose veins. Spider veins are 1 mm or less in size and varicose veins are 3 mm or greater in size and can be seen as bulging veins, just below the surface of the skin. Note: Some varicose veins are not visible to the naked eye only being seen on duplex ultrasound.
Untreated over time venous reflux can lead to visible, bulging, painful varicose veins and bleeding. There’s also a correlation between varicose veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT (blood clots) in the legs can break free and travel to the lungs, leading to a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), a life-threatening emergency. That is why it’s important to have a comprehensive vein evaluation with your vein specialists to make sure your spider veins aren’t a sign of something more.
Cosmetic Vein Treatment in Georgia
Whether your spider veins are a cosmetic issue or a symptom of something more, we offer comprehensive vein treatments for both spider and varicose veins in our Georgia vein clinics. At VSS, our tried-and-true sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins and cutting-edge procedures for other venous disease concerns, such as leg ulcers and varicose veins, are minimally invasive Walk-in, Walk-out® treatments with little to no downtime. This means no surgery, no general anesthesia, no hospital stay, and minimal downtime!
Choose Vein Specialists of the South for your vein treatment and relax knowing that your veins were fully evaluated and a custom treatment plan was created for you prior to any other steps being taken. You’ll either learn your veins are healthy, or you’ll receive additional guidance and care from our team to manage and treat the underlying venous disease before the condition worsens.
What to Expect During Your Sclerotherapy Treatment
Sclerotherapy is the worldwide gold standard for spider veins. The sclerotherapy treatment process generally consists of three steps: the injection of the sclerotherapy solution, the waiting period, and the compression period.
The injection of the sclerotherapy solution into the spider veins is a quick and relatively comfortable process. The waiting period is relatively short, and most people resume their normal activities immediately after their treatment. During the compression period, you will wear compression socks to help improve the results of the treatment.
Compression stockings or socks are generally worn for two weeks after the sclerotherapy treatment. Most people return to work immediately after the treatment. However, it is important to avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours after the treatment.