Hello Friends,
There is a lot of interest in the non-surgical treatment for spider veins. In days past, surgery was the only option for larger veins. Smaller veins were electrocuted by hyfrecation. A needle was placed in the vein and electrified for a moment, and the current would shoot down the vein for about one centimeter and replace the vein with scar.
Later, sclerotherapy came along, which is the injection of a solution such as hypertonic saline, which makes the lining of the vein stick to itself and shut down. No blood in the vein means no color in the vein. Then, our favorite therapy came along at last: the laser. A laser can be dialed to the specific color of the patients’ veins and does not irritate the surrounding tissues. Nowadays, lasers are the way we handle 90 percent of the unsightly red or blue veins that we encounter.
Spider Veins:
- The veins are called spider angioma
- Often radiate outwards like a spider's web
- For spider angiomas on the face, techniques such as electrodesiccation and laser treatment can be used
- Spider angiomas are commonly found on the face, neck, upper part of the trunk and arms
- Women using hormonal contraception, have spider angiomas, due to high estrogen levels in their blood
- People with hepatic disease also show spider angiomas; their liver cannot detoxify estrogen from the blood, resulting in high levels of estrogen
There isn’t a home remedy for spider veins, but a trip to your doctor can help you decide your options. As always, prevention is the best medicine, so try these tips to prevent the veins from forming in the first place:
- Protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen to limit spider veins on the face.
- Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
- Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting. However, try to elevate your legs when resting.
- Do not stand for long periods of time. If you have to stand for long periods of time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you have to sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk approximately every 30 minutes.
- Wear elastic support stockings, but avoid clothing that is too tight or that will constrict your waist, groin, or legs.
- Make sure to include high-fiber foods in your diet since constipation can contribute to varicose veins. High fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Control your salt-intake. Salt, or sodium, can cause you to retain water or swell.
Dr. Drew Ordon
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Hi Dr Ord,
Thanks for the info on Spider Veins. I have them up and down my legs. They started when I was pregnant 27 years ago and now continue to turn up. ( like a bad penny) Are you planning a show around this? I would love to be a candidate for removal. They are very unsightly.
Nancy
Hi why is it so sensitive around these spider veins...I can't even touch those areas because it is so sore...and what can one do for pockets of fatty tissue on your legs these hurt alot when touched...I never had them before till i lost alot of weight now i can feel these tiny lumps...also what can i do to lose the weight from my hips and thighs ..no matter what i try my thighs just won't slim down...the rest of my upper part loses the weight but not the bottom part...and will you be airing a show on these type of lumps people get into their legs and maybe a home redmedy without costing alot of money to make them go away..without removing them surgically...
thank you
Joyce
Hi watched the show on Wednesday Jan 21, 2009, in which a woman asked about Spider angioma. I have this on my face and would like to know if there is anything I can use to help this. I usually use make-up to cover it up, which it does nicely, but I am not a person who always wears make-up, I was curious if there was any lotions or creams that could rid me of some of this problem.
Thank You
I was so pleased to see this appear on the show! I am 18 and I have little broken veins around my nose and have been self-concious about them for years. I wear alot of makeup to cover them up, and they do not make me feel pretty at all. I have alot of self-esteem issues and the veins don't help at all. I've tried some creams and what not to help reduce the redness of them at the least but nothing has worked. I do not have the money for any surgical procedure, and for that, I am afraid to ask my doctor about it without hearing a large price. Is there anything that will help without the huge dollar sign? Thanks!
Hi, i have noticed the small veins on my face lately too, as the lady on the show today. Just wondering also, what is good for the brown spots, on a face at such a young age of 47?. thanks. As ever, sandra
How do you know if it's Spider Angioma or Rosecea? I was told along time ago I had rosecea. It's not just the spider veins, but blushing. I was told by an Opthamologist that it also effects my eyes. I have it on one side of my neck and also at my neckline. I try to cover it with makeup, but my neck and chest are the most difficult to cover. I don't usually like to wear makeup. Is there anything new on the marked that I can use? I used to use a prescribed gel, but it didn't work all that great.
I have the spier viens on my face around my nose. I can't afford to have laser for it. Is there some other way to help it? I really need your help. I am 61 years of age. These things are ugly.
I too have red viens covering my nose and cheeks. I have had it for years and they appear to be broken blood vessels. As well I am quite red in the face but do not have Rosecea.
I have tried every cream and lotion out there - right down to using a green base under thick foundation. Nothing covers it. I find too that as my skin has more wrinkles, lines and sagging, that this issue has become worse.
I can only hope laser treatment is not the only answer. The cost here in Canada is astonishing. I am constantly embarrassed by my skin. Are there any other safe treatments? And has anyone who has commented on this segment found other remedies?
Cheers from Canada.
Hello:
Do you have anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area or San Jose in whom you have confidence for the treatment of spider and varicose veins? Price is an object. What is considered a reasonable range in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Also, what are the determining factors for sclerotherapy vs. laser vs. ultra sound?
Thank you for your time.
MOB
See www.phlebology.org for accurate and up to date information
Specifically, what type of laser works? My experience has been lasers look like they work when the patient is in the office, but when they get home, the vein is open and often looks worse. IPL show promise on the face. Sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard ny most every vein specialist.
Richard Grisoli, MD
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I've had a problem with varicose veins since college; I now stand all day at my job. I wear compression stockings while working and am not over weight. Is there an ideal time to have a procedure done? Can exercise improve already problem areas or is it only a preventative treatment? Thanks for any additional information.
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