FAQs About Spider Veins And Treatment Options
Posted on: 15 January 2021
If you've noticed purplish or blue veins on the surface of your skin, you may suspect that you have spider veins. Spider veins can be caused by a number of things, such as hormone fluctuations, obesity, genetics, etc. If you are unhappy with how the spider veins look, you may want to talk with a dermatologist. Read on to find answers to questions you may have about spider veins.
Are Spider Veins the Same As Varicose Veins?
While somewhat similar in their appearance, spider veins and varicose veins are different conditions. Spider veins are dilated veins near the surface of the skin that have twisted. Varicose veins are caused by twisted veins, but they aren't as superficial as spider veins. Varicose veins also tend to cause more symptoms, such as inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Do They Need to Be Removed?
You don't have to remove spider veins if they aren't causing you pain; however, many people often want to remove spider veins for cosmetic reasons. Although spider veins may not cause as many symptoms as varicose veins, keep in mind that spider veins can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms, like burning or itching — especially as a person ages and skin loses collagen and becomes thinner.
How Can a Dermatologist Help?
There are many different treatment routes for spider veins. You may want to try sclerotherapy first since it's a minimally-invasive procedure. During sclerotherapy, your dermatologist will inject a saline mixture directly into the spider veins. This solution will cause the vein to scar and shrink, and blood will reroute to healthier veins. The spider veins will then will fade over time.
Another minimally-invasive procedure you can try is laser therapy. During this treatment, your dermatologist will use a laser light to target the spider veins. The heat that's generated by the laser will cause the blood in the vein to coagulate, and the vein will collapse and fade over time. While the laser will destroy the spider vein, it won't cause any damage to your skin.
Your doctor can also use radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA is similar to laser therapy since it uses heat to destroy the veins, but instead of using laser light, it uses radiofrequency energy.
Will the Spider Veins Come Back?
While you could develop spider veins in new areas, the good news is that spider veins that are treated won't usually come back. Depending on how many spider veins you have or how large they are, it could take a few treatment sessions at your dermatologist's office to completely eradicate them. Your dermatologist may recommend compression stockings to improve circulation and prevent the reoccurrence of spider veins. They could also prescribe a cream that contains vitamin K, which can help to diminish the appearance of spider veins if they come back.
Reach out to a dermatologist in your area today for more information about spider vein treatment options.
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