Dr. Cindy McCord, Associates in Plastic SurgeryQ: What are my treatment options for spider veins?
A: Spider veins are small clusters of veins that appear on the ankles, calves and thighs. They may be caused by prolonged standing, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, weight changes or hereditary factors. Sclerotherapy is the most common form of treatment for spider veins. During the procedure, a chemical agent, such as concentrated saline, is injected into the vein at several points. The agent causes irritation in the lining of the veins. Along with bandage compression after treatment, this causes them to collapse with time, resulting in fading and smoothing of the area.
The treatment is performed in an outpatient setting and does not require surgery or anesthesia. Usually two to four treatments spaced six weeks apart are required to obtain optimal results. Some risks of spider vein treatment include swelling, bruising, skin darkening and ulceration. Sclerotherapy may not remove very large spider veins completely but will soften the appearance.
– Dr. Cindy McCord, Associates in Plastic Surgery; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society