Varicose veins are a very common medical condition, particularly among those who are obese or elderly. Spider veins are the smaller cousins of the varicose vein that do not normally cause any symptoms. However, if you are bothered by unwelcome spider veins, you may desire a spider vein treatment to improve your appearance.
What are Varicose and Spider Veins?
The vein is a blood vessel responsible for transporting blood to your heart. This allows blood to become re-oxygenated for another round trip throughout your body. Each vein contains a valve that ensures the blood flows in one direction: back to your heart. For reasons that are not always known, these valves can become dysfunctional. They are no longer able to transport blood in one direction. Instead, blood accumulates in the dysfunctional vein. This backflow of blood leads to the distorted function and appearance of the varicose vein.
Spider veins are the smaller cousins of the varicose vein. They are so small that they may only be the width of a single red blood cell. Spider veins very rarely cause any symptoms. They are typically red or purple in color, in contrast to varicose veins that tend to be green or blue. They also appear somewhat differently, with a branched or spider-web appearance, unlike varicose veins that have a twisted or ropey shape.
Do I Need a Spider Vein Treatment?
You may not need a spider vein treatment if your condition is not causing any symptoms. But you may want a spider vein treatment if the appearance of these veins bothers you and detracts from your appearance.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a proven technique for removing spider veins that has been around for many decades. Although it uses an older technology, the treatment is still quite effective and successful. It involves the injection of a special solution into spider veins to destroy them by collapsing the vein walls. The destroyed spider vein will eventually be absorbed by the body. Its blood will be rerouted into functioning blood vessels.
What is Endovenous Ablation?
Endovenous ablation is a more modern spider vein treatment that utilizes radiofrequency to eliminate unwelcome veins. After cleaning your leg with disinfectant soap, a radiofrequency catheter is implemented to treat the unwanted vein. A compression wrap will then be applied to your leg.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are prepared to enhance your appearance by undergoing a spider vein treatment, we invite you to reach out and make an appointment with Pacific Vein Care. At our convenient location in McHenry, IL, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be pleased to explain your options in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!