As the weather begins to warm, I reach for the shorts in my closet and fret. When I was young I didn't want to wear shorts until I had a tan. Now at 40 things are different. Typically spider veins are hereditary, THANKS MOM and DAD! But also, birthing three children, gaining too much wait during pregnancy, and varicose veins has left my legs looking like a cross country road map. Some of you may be confused, but for many women my age you are well aware what I am talking about.
Spider veins appear as red or purple thread-like vessels on the skin surface, and can occur on the face, neck, chest and legs. In the legs they can be found alone or in combination with varicose veins. They are not a health risk alone, but are often a cosmetic concern.
Spider veins occur when small capillaires dilate on the surface of the skin. There are larger veins called reticular or "feeder" veins that are the source for spider veins. Spider veins can worsen during times of hormonal shifts (ie; pregnancy or menopause) and with injury (ie; trauma or standing/sitting for long periods. Oh, the joy of being a women!
For a few years I have been a patient of Dr. Laura Ellis in Asheville NC. She has treated my veins and the treatment has been a success. The treatment of spider veins is an on going process, in other words you can never be "cured" of spider veins. Yesterday, I had another treatment of sclerotherapy. This is where is doctor injects a solution into the trouble areas/veins. This treatment is not for the faint of heart or if you have an aversion to needles. You will have a lot of injected.
The follow up care is wearing medical grade compression tights for two weeks post treatment, no exercise for 5 days and pain management with rest and elevation.
If you have problems with varicose or spider veins, do not dispair. There is a solution. Below is the link to my doctor and her informational website.
Happy Spring!
http://lauraellismd.com/spider_vein_therapy.html#definition
Here is a before and after photo: (not me, haha)