Sclerotherapy And Other Options For Removing Spider Veins

It’s true – those red and blue tiny lines sprawling across some areas of the legs can be a huge confidence killer. And especially now that summer is fast approaching, many people are getting more and more desperate on getting them out of sight. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of those annoying spider veins for good.

The methods range from do-it-yourself home remedies to minimally invasive and surgical procedures. First, let’s see what we can do from the convenience of home:

Put on compression stockings

These can be bought over-the-counter, depending on the degree of pressure you want to buy. The type with the highest pressure requires a doctor’s prescription, so you might want to check on that first. Compression stockings can be very effective especially for milder cases which make them a good bet for getting rid of spider veins.

Elevate your legs after a tough day of standing or sitting down

Elevating the legs can help enhance blood flow in these areas, thereby reducing the appearance of spider veins.

Refrain from sitting down or standing up for prolonged periods

Sitting down and standing up for long durations can block blood flow to the legs, which causes spider veins. If you are employed in a desk job or once that requires a lot of standing up, make sure that you take walking breaks to promote blood flow in your legs.

Sclerotherapy

Aside from these do-it-yourself tips, you can also consult with a professional who specializes in the removal of these unsightly marks. Sclerotherapy is one of the more popular treatments for spider vein treatment and has been proven to be effective since the 1930s. In the procedure, a sclerosant is injected by the specialist directly onto the vein so that it creates a reaction with the inner linings of the vein. As a result, the vein gets swollen, thereby causing blood clotting. This would then develop into scar tissue, which gradually fades away. The entire procedure only takes around twenty minutes’ tops – after which the patient can already head home without assistance. It’s generally safe and painless, save for the first 1-2 minutes of injecting the salt solution wherein the patient could feel some mild pain.

Sclerotherapy is a great way to get rid of spider veins because it’s minimally invasive; hence, the risks are minimal. Side effects are also rare and mild. Sometimes the patient may notice some swelling or bruising weeks after the procedure, which should fade away not long after.

Generally, 10-30 injections are done in a single session. The number of sessions would depend from case to case, with those having severe spider veins requiring more time and more sessions to undergo.

Recovery

The recovery period after sclerotherapy shouldn’t be a hassle. As earlier mentioned, after the procedure the patient should be able to walk without pain and even drive home. There may be some infinitesimal tenderness on the site, which eventually disappears. Walking exercises are encouraged; however, rigorous activities should be avoided.