Spider Veins And Varicose Veins
What are spider and varicose veins?
These are small reddish or sometimes bluish blood vessels that become visible under the surface of your leg skin. In the preliminary stages when only a few small blood vessels show up under the skin, it is known as spider veins.
But in the later stages larger and more dilated veins may protrude and bulge outwards under the skin surface and these are known as varicose veins.  While spider veins may be more of a visual discomfort, varicose veins are actually thwarting and painful.
What’s the reason behind this problem?
Genetics are the first thing you can put the blame on, and if your mother suffered from spider or varicose veins you are equally likely to suffer from them. Apart from genetics, your lifestyle, your particular habits and your hormone levels are the other factors that could be held responsible.
Being overweight, having suffered some leg injury or standing for long hours can also trigger the appearance of spider and varicose veins. Apart from these, the sudden surge of hormones during pregnancy and menopause can also be held responsible for your condition.
What are the different medical treatments available?
Sclero-therapy: In this procedure, some chemicals are injected into the veins, which causes the protruding veins to shrink and settle down back into their place. No anesthesia or specialized equipment is required for this procedure and the marks left behind will fade away within a few weeks.
Laser technique: This method involves throwing some intense laser beams onto the veins, so as to burn off the extra tissues. This method is fairly accurate and nearly painless, and also the recovery time is much shorter.
Electro-desiccation: This one is quite similar to sclerosis, with the only difference that instead of injections an electric current is used to seal off the bulging and troublesome veins. However, this method often results in scarring the area.
