After one treatment, the veins may fade, but more treatments are usually necessary for permanent results. The average number of treatments is between 2 and 6, and can require 5 to 40 injections of the fluid. A session usually lasts about 30 minutes. The needles used for the treatment are very tiny, and there is usually little to no pain involved. Doctors have been using sclerotherapy for more than 20 years in the treatment of spider veins, and it is highly effective. There are usually no complications, but there may be bruising or itching at the site. After treatment, wearing a compression garment or a bandage helps healing. Lasers are a new tool in the treatment of treat spider veins. A strong pulse of light is directed at the vein and destroys it. After a few weeks, the body absorbs the vein. Applying a topical anesthetic before treatment helps minimize any pain from the laser. The laser also has a cooling tip to counteract the heat. Again, several treatments are necessary to remove all of the spider veins. Lasers are useful for the superficial veins and not the deeper spider veins. While effective, not all skin types and skin colors are suitable for laser treatment.

 It is essential to consult a physician with any questions about spider vein treatment. While it is relatively painless, there can still be some complications. It is surgery, and needs to be performed by a qualified provider. Treated spider veins do not return, but new ones may develop.

Some of the reasons for the discrepancy between genders and ages can be attributed to multiple pregnancies in women, a decreased activity level in older people or obesity in either population. Venous leg ulercs are though to affect approximately one million people per year throughout North America.

Typical indications that you may have developed venous leg ulcers include swelling above the ankle, where these types of ulcers most often appear. You may also notice dry or red skin, itching or flaking in the area and raw, exposed wounds. If you are bothered by one or more of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional for treatment as soon as possible.

Your doctor will complete a physical examination that will evaluate your blood pressure, weight, previous history of skin ulcers and current level of pain you are experiencing. The diagnosis will be done by interviewing you as well as through the use of an MRI, CT scan or X-ray.

The first type of treatment your doctor is likely to try, after the affected area has been throughly cleansed, is to wrap it in compression bandages. The purpose of this is to put pressure on the area to encourage increased blood flow and the reductions of swelling.

Some other methods of pain relief and eliminating the ulcer altogether that may be suggested are to wear supportive hosiery and exercise the area to prevent blood clots from forming. Anti-biotics may be presribed, but generally this is only done when cellulitis has occured. As a last resort, you may be referred for surgery to remove the venous leg ulcer by performing a skin graft in the affected area.

 There is no pain involved in these procedures since the form of treatment is completely noninvasive. The results are dramatic and startling. Patients can often see a 100% reduction in the visibility of any varicose veins or spider veins after the laser treatments have been performed. Recovery is very quick. Prices are quite affordable and they accept all major credit cards. This treatment can be a real positive boost to sufferers of varicose veins and spider veins because it greatly benefits their cosmetic appearance and their self esteem and self confidence. This helps them in all aspects of their lives, including their work lives and their social lives. The benefits are both tangible and intangible. No one enjoys having to suffer with varicose veins or spider veins. And this skin care treatment at the Varicose to Perfect Center can help eliminate the needless stress, anxiety and pain often caused by having varicose veins and spider veins as well. It’s definitely an exceptional facility to get help with for such vein issues. Individuals of most any age can benefit from visiting the Center and taking advantage of the treatments and painless procedures. It’s a lifetime of healthy skin care renewal that they’ll be obtaining and what could possibly be better than this for those with varicose and spider vein problems.

Where else can you go and have a vein removed while watching a hot dog show? The staff at Varicose to Perfect is funny and good at their work, and the doctor is detailed, considerate, and has a great bedside manner. The television in the procedure room is a wonderful distration and makes for great conversation during the long hook phlebectomy. The ultrasound was the most thorough I have ever had, and the doctor cares about the whole person and is good with a scalpel. They all take pride in taking care of patients, so why go anywhere else?
August 31, 2009
– Camden, Ohio

Veins carry used blood from the rest of the body back to the heart. As muscles contract, blood is pushed against the flow of gravity. Veins utilize valves, which act as one-way doors, preventing blood from flowing in reverse. As valves weaken, blood can leak back into the veins and begin to collect, enlarging the veins and causing the appearance of spider veins. Age, family history, hormonal changes, pregnancy, sun exposure, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are all potential causes of spider veins.

Symptoms of spider veins include sores, skin ulcers, bleeding, leg cramps, swelling, and fatigue. Serious pain often represents a deeper issue that should be dealt with immediately to prevent any further complications.

Spider veins are not typically a serious health concern, however, they may cause feelings of discomfort in the legs. Spider veins can be treated in order to lessen their appearance and relieve any uncomfortable symptoms. For some people, lifestyle changes may be enough. For others, medical treatment is required.

Possible treatments include lifestyle changes, such as exercise and dietary modifications or the use of compression stockings. Sclerotherapy requires the injection of a liquid chemical that actually stops blood flow, turning the vein into scar tissue. Surface laser treatments send bursts of intense light through the skin to the vein. Eventually, the spider veins fade and disappear. Radiofrequency and laser treatments involve a probe, inserted into the vein, to heat up and seal off the vein. Surgery is only performed on severe cases in large areas of spider veins. Surgical litigation and stripping are done through tying off and completely removing the vein. PIN stripping pulls the vein out with the use of a PIN stripper. An ambulatory phlebectomy is performed by removing the veins through a series of tiny cuts.

These procedures are not without potential side effects. Prevention through a healthy lifestyle is the best option.

Some signs and symptoms you may have or be developing varicose veins include pain, aching or cramping. There might also be feelings of restlessness, tiredness, and heaviness. You may have swelling or inflammation. Spider veins can be a sign as well. Common non-surgical treatments for varicose veins include elevating and resting the legs and wearing support stockings. There is also a surgical solution that involves removing the affected veins, which are usually superficial, from the body. Today, newer, non-surgical treatments like ultrasound and laser therapy also exist.

In a nutshell, blood leaving the surface through the superficial veins enter connecting veins that empty into deep veins. These connecting veins have one-way valves, and when they begin to fail, blood leaks back into the superficial veins, known as “pooling”. The superficial veins stretch and can cause various difficulties, including varicose and spider veins, and venous ulcers.

Venous leg ulcers appear as weeping, open wounds within areas of darkened skin and may be accompanied by swelling or eczema. Despite a raw appearance, an ulcer may be relatively painless, unless infected. More severe than venal issues such as varicose veins, venous leg ulcers require treatment and can be an indication of greater health problems, such as issues within the deeper veins.

Diabetics and the aged are at greater risk for developing venal problems in the legs and feet. Obesity is another contributing factor, due to the increased amount of pressure needed to return the blood to the heart. Women who have had children are also at a higher risk, as hormones associated with pregnancy relax the walls of the veins; each pregnancy raises the likelihood of vein difficulties.

Standing or sitting in one position for long periods of time can be a factor, as well as lack of exercise, high fat diets that are lacking in fruits and vegetables, fractures or surgeries, or blood clots. If standing is necessary, vary the stance and move about, paying special attention to working the calf muscles. If seated for long periods, straighten or raise the legs frequently, and never sit cross-legged.

As mentioned, treatment is necessary and should begin as soon as possible. At rest, whenever possible, use pillows or rolled up blankets to elevate the legs above the heart. Check daily for changes in the legs, and walk every day to exercise the calves.

What Are Spider Veins?
According to http://www.varicosetoperfect.com/spider.htm, spider veins are caused by faulty valves. Veins in the legs work harder than any others in the body because of the tremendous pressure required to return the blood upward to the heart. Under various conditions, valves that prevent the blood from flowing backward can malfunction; the blood will pool, causing the veins to extend and become visible within the skin.

What Causes Spider Veins?
While men certainly suffer from them, the percentage of women with spider veins is higher, with an almost four to one ratio. Causes are linked to hormonal changes, both natural and artificial-menopause, pregnancy, hormone replacement, and the use of birth control can all contribute to the appearance of spider veins.

Heredity is another factor, as is age: fifty percent of people over 50 are affected by vein problems. A lifelong strain on the valves can cause them to begin to fail.

Obesity increases the veins’ workload, as does continual standing or sitting. Sedentary lifestyles almost guarantee vein problems, as do occupations that require long periods of standing in one place.

Are There Health Concerns?
Other than the obvious cosmetic aspect, there are rarely serious health concerns, but spider veins can cause cramps, swelling, inflammation, restless legs, and general achiness. They may also be an indication of problems deeper within the legs, so it is a good idea to get an examination with any noticeable pain.

How Are Spider Veins Treated?
“Gold standard” treatment of spider and varicose veins is called “Sclerotherapy” and involves tiny injections into the troublesome veins, causing them to disappear completely. This is done in outpatient settings, and normal lifestyle functions can generally be resumed the same day.

Other treatments include laser surgery, staining of the skin, inpatient removal surgery, and compression stockings. Many options are available, and some spider vein treatments are budget-friendly.

Venous leg ulcers usually occur because these valves that are not properly functioning. Venous ulcers affect between 500,000 and 600,000 people in the US each year and account for nearly 90% of leg ulcers. Venous ulcers are commonly seen in people who suffer with a history of varicose veins, leg swelling or blood clots. These ulcers can affect a single leg or both legs.

Risk factors of venous leg ulcers include:

~Age: These types of ulcers usually recur in older people.
~Sex: Women have a higher tendency to suffer from them. Hormonal changes from pregnancy, hormonal replacement therapy, menopause and birth control are factors that increase the formation of venous leg ulcers.
~Obesity. Someone who is overweight has an increased risk of venous leg ulcers because of the increased pressure on the veins.
~Employment. Activities or jobs that require standing for a long time are risk factors with standing increasing the pressure that is put on the veins.

Symptoms of leg ulcers include swollen legs, dryness, itching and sometimes brownish-colored skin that surrounds the ulcers and appearance that is weeping and raw and located right above the ankle usually inside the leg.

The goal of treating venous leg ulcers is to relieve the pain, quicken recovery and heal the ulcer. Each patient has a different treatment plan and is based on the person’s health, condition and ability to be able to care for the sore. The ulcers are treated with leg compression to minimize swelling. Compression treatments include multilayer compression wraps, compression stockings, wrapping of an ACE bandage or dressing the entire area below the knee. The compression used will be determined and prescribed by the patient’s physician. Dressing types include hydrogels, alginate, collagen, debriding, antimicrobial, composite and synthetic skin.