What are Leg Spider Veins and what is the best treatment? In this video I will give
you 5 important facts about Leg Spider Veins and I will tell you about Microsclerotherapy,
the best injection treatment for spider veins and blue veins. I will cover What are they, what
they look like, what causes them, when are they a problem and how they can be treated.
My name is Dr Haroun Gajraj Director of The VeinCare Centre, helping you find freedom
from unsightly and uncomfortable veins as well as veins causing health problems.
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So let’s get started. And please stay to the end, where I will share with you a
resource I have put together with my vein specialist colleague Catharine McGuinness
so you can get a much better idea of what Microsclerotherapy is really like.
So What are Leg spider veins
are unsightly vessels in the skin. They measure up to 1 mm in size. They are
also known as thread veins or broken veins; the medical term for these veins is telangiectasia.
What do they look like? Spider veins have a typical
appearance and most people instantly recognise them when they see them. They can occur anywhere
on the leg but they are frequently found on the outer thigh, inner calf and around the ankle.
What causes them? In my practice, the majority of
people asking for advice or treatment are women. Of course, men get them too, but because men have
hairy legs and tend to wear trousers, spider veins are of more concern to women than to men.
Young women with no symptoms usually have no underlying issues with the veins underneath
the skin and in this situation, the spider veins are said to be “idiopathic”. Women who
have symptoms such as leg throbbing, swelling or leg discomfort, may have underlying vein problems
or even varicose veins. In this situation, the spider veins are said to be “secondary”.
This is an important point, because people with idiopathic spider veins can have
injection treatments pretty much straight away, whereas, people with secondary spider
veins are best advised to have a leg check up with an ultrasound scan.
When are spider veins a problem?
For most people, it is the unsightly appearance of the spider veins that causes embarrassment,
poor self-esteem and lack of confidence. This is often the motivation for seeking help.
For others, symptoms such as leg ache, throbbing and swelling may cause concern. Spider veins
around the ankle may indicate a major problem with the function of veins below the skin and these
spider veins should always be taken seriously. These veins are called “Corona Phlebectatica”
also known as ankle flare. So spider veins around the ankle may actually be a health problem.
How can Spider Veins be treated? People with no symptoms, no ankle
flare or varicose veins can be treated by Micro-injections (Microsclerotherapy).
Microsclerotherapy involves the injection of a prescription medicine into the vein.
Microsclerotherapy is a very delicate injection procedure and requires skill
and accuracy. The prescription medicine is called a sclerosant. It works by removing the delicate
lining of the spider veins and a healing process starts which causes the vein to fade and disperse.
So there you are. 5 important facts about leg spider veins and blue veins and a description
of Microsclerotherapy. Please remember, only suitably-trained healthcare professionals
should inject leg spider veins by Microsclerotherapy.
So check the qualifications and experience of your practitioner.
Now the link above gives you more information about Microsclerotherapy. What it involves, how
it is done and what is like to have the treatment. In the link below, you can read more on my
website and download our free information guide. I look forward to seeing you in my next video.