Are you noticing a colored appearance, especially in your lower legs? Do they appear small, red, purple, or blue and look like they are twisting and turning? You could be having spider veins Bakersfield, a condition resulting from damaged and weakened veins. While they may not be harmful, spider veins may look unappealing, and you want to eliminate them for cosmetic reasons. Treating spider veins involves different options, from lifestyle changes to laser treatment and therapy. You can read the following discussion to find out how different treatments for spider veins work to eliminate them.
Lifestyle Changes
You can try self-care tips to prevent the worsening of existing spider veins and stop the appearance of new ones. You can begin by applying sunscreen on your face daily, especially when you know you will be out for long hours. Secondly, maintain a wealthy weight to reduce pressure on your veins, which may restrict proper blood flow. Thirdly, avoid sitting and standing for long periods without breaks. Instead, alternate between sitting and standing and take regular breaks to increase blood flow. Lastly, avoid tight clothing as they restrict blood flow and increase your risk for spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Your doctor will mostly recommend sclerotherapy to reduce the appearance of spider veins. During this treatment, your doctor will inject a solution directly into the affected vein, causing them to swell and then seal, thus restricting blood supply to spider veins. As a result, your spider veins will collapse and fade in the following weeks. You will not require anesthesia during this treatment, and your treatment time will depend on the size needing treatment. You may need an injection more than once to ensure the veins collapse and disappear completely.
Laser Treatment
Treatment with laser involves focusing strong beams of light on the spider vein, causing them to clot and fade. You will not require an injection with this treatment because it is less invasive. On the other hand, endovenous laser therapy involves making an incision in the spider vein and then inserting a laser fiber. The fiber will apply heat directly to your vein, causing it to collapse and disappear after several months. Unlike laser treatment, you will require local anesthesia during endovenous laser therapy.
Radiofrequency Occlusion
During this treatment, your doctor will insert a small catheter into your vein, delivering radiofrequency energy to your spider vein. As a result of the heating from the radiofrequency energy, the spider vein will collapse and seal shut. You may require local anesthesia for this procedure.
Compression Stockings
You can wear compression stockings to put pressure on your veins to help increase blood flow to your lower legs, thus preventing the worsening of spider veins. Compression stockings will also help reduce swelling and lower the risk of blood clotting in your lower legs. Different types of compression stockings can offer you relief.
Spider veins can appear anywhere but are most common around the lower legs and are usually visible under the skin. Spider veins often develop from weakened and damaged valves, making it difficult to flow blood correctly. As a result, blood will begin to pool inside your veins, which causes a bulge. Spider veins are mostly harmless and not painful but may be discomforting at certain times. You can seek to treat them if you find them unsightly and have several treatment options you can pursue.
