What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins can crop up on anyone, regardless of age. They can show up for various reasons on just about any part of the body, although they mostly tend to show up on the legs and the face. So what exactly are these scary-sounding veins, and what causes them?
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are thin, red, and blue colored veins that show up mostly on the backs of legs, the face, as well as other parts of the body. They are called Spider Veins due to the fact that they are so thin and have an almost “webbed” like design. While these veins are typically harmless, most individuals view them as unsightly and can even elect for treatments to reduce their appearance or even eliminate them altogether.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins can be caused by a variety of different reasons, and a good portion of individuals will find them on their bodies at one point in their lives. Some of the reasons that spider veins may present themselves include:
- Genetics – spider veins are hereditary
- Professions that require the individual to stand for long periods
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Oral contraceptives
- History of blood clots
It is also important to note that spider veins are a lot more common in women than men. It is also estimated that anywhere between thirty and sixty percent of adults have spider veins.
How Are Spider Veins Treated?
Spider veins can be treated in a variety of ways, with the most popular at one point being surgery. Surgery for spider vein removal is effective, but it can also be painful and have a longer downtime than other procedures. Thanks to advancements in technology and medical procedures, there are other treatments available now, the most popular being Sclerotherapy.
What is Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that can drastically reduce the appearance of spider veins, and in many cases, eliminate them altogether. This procedure is done in your doctor’s office and typically takes under an hour per session, depending on the area to be treated. This procedure is minimally invasive, making it preferable over surgery. Because of this, the down-time is often much less than traditional surgical procedures, making it much more appealing. General anesthesia is not often required because it is not a traditional surgical procedure, making it much safer overall and with fewer side effects.
If you would like to learn more about Sclerotherapy for spider veins or would like to know if this treatment could be right for you, call the office of Dr. Ghozland today!