What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small, thin blood vessels that lie close to the surface of the skin. Spider veins appear red or blue, and usually form a web-like design. While they don’t usually pose a medical risk or cause pain, they can be an unsightly blemish to some. Fortunately, modern treatments like sclerotherapy and laser therapy have made it possible to reduce the appearance of these veins with minimal risks and recovery time.
Spider veins are sometimes only a cosmetic concern and can be treated with minimally invasive techniques, such as sclerotherapy or laser ablation. However, in some cases, they may indicate an underlying disease or disorder like chronic venous insufficiency, so it is important for individuals to understand that these visible vessels may require further evaluation.
Common Symptoms and Signs
Spider veins can be a difficult condition to deal with; symptoms such as leg aching, heaviness, fatigue, burning, and throbbing can make everyday activities uncomfortable and challenging. Over time these issues can worsen without treatment.
Thankfully there are several effective treatments available that may help alleviate the sources of discomfort and improve the appearance at the same time. Seeking professional medical advice for assessment and treatment is recommended for anyone suffering from spider vein issues.
How Are Spider Veins Diagnosed?
Typically, an experienced physician can identify and diagnose spider veins during a routine physical exam. However, underlying problems may be present that are not visible to the naked eye. As a result, a physical examination is important when considering treatment for spider veins.
Some patients with seemingly simple spider veins may require further evaluation and spider vein treatment. Patients who have severe symptoms associated with their spider veins, or clusters at the inner ankles or inner thighs, may have underlying venous insufficiency that should be identified prior to starting treatment.
Spider Vein Treatment
Just as the name suggests, spider veins have an arachnid-like appearance. Similar to varicose veins, spider veins result from hindered the blood flow of damaged veins. However, spider veins are typically smaller and have a more colorful, superficial appearance. That being said, spider veins can be much more than just a cosmetic nuisance; they can also cause leg pain and signal a health concern.
When treating spider veins, we often use sclerotherapy, which is the same procedure used to eradicate varicose veins, but we also use Laser Vein Therapy – Nd:YAG™ due to the fact the spider veins are often closely related to and can be made worse by reticular veins.
Rely On Summit Skin & Vein Care For Your Spider Vein Treatment
Restore your confidence and comfort with spider vein treatment from Summit Skin & Vein Care, located in Lee’s Summit and serving the Kansas City area. Our treatment options include Sclerotherapy and Laser Vein Therapy–Nd:YAG™.
Not sure what spider vein treatment option is right for you? Find out with a FREE vein screening! We will perform a vein screening prior to your physical examination to make an accurate assessment of the extent of your spider veins, as well as to create the best treatment plan for you. Contact Summit Skin & Vein at (816) 533-4398 today to schedule an appointment.
