What are Spider Veins?
Telangiectasia, commonly known as Spider Veins, are small, dilated, web-like blood vessels that are located near the skin surface. Such veins may become dilated due to multiple factors that include genetics, hormonal influences (estrogen & progesterone), pregnancy and injury. While they can cause significant emotional discomfort, they typically do not cause pain.
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However, if spider veins on the thighs & legs are associated with symptoms (leg heaviness, fatigue, cramps, “restless legs”, swelling), there may be issues with larger superficial veins located deeper beneath the surface. Such issues typically stem from malfunction of one-way valves in veins that ordinarily serve to keep flow travelling up and out of the leg on its return journey to the heart. Valve malfunction leads to wrong-way flow (reflux); such backflow allows pressure to build up within interconnecting branches at the surface leading to dilated veins.
If symptoms are present and if veins at the surface are located in areas where valve malfunctions are commonly found, a venous ultrasound (Doppler) test is performed to make a definitive diagnosis and help map out a treatment plan tailored to your needs. If such underlying issues are neglected, treatments may be ineffective and underlying issues will progress.
If present, the underlying problematic veins are treated first. Spider veins are then “cleaned up” by a process called sclerotherapy.
How are Spider Veins Treated?
Sclerotherapy is a safe, effective, comfortable injection treatment that closes spider veins and allows the body to slowly fade them away over time.
- Liquid Sclerotherapy is used to treat smaller sized veins. The chemical is called Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate (STS) and has been in use for over 50 years. It is a safe, dilute “detergent sclerosant”: a medical soapy chemical that gently encourages the body to remove the unwanted veins.
- Foam Sclerotherapy is a method that allows the same soapy chemical to be agitated into a foam, allowing larger veins to be treated without having to significantly increase the concentration of STS.
- Ultrasound-guided Foam Sclerotherapy is a precision-guided technique used to target somewhat larger veins that are too deep to be seen from the surface.
Why Choose Rosen Vein Care for Spider Vein Treatment?
While many locations in the Chicagoland and North Shore areas offer spider vein treatments, Rosen Vein Care stands out for a few significant reasons:
- Expert Care: Every treatment is provided only by Dr. Rosen who is certified by the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine
- Concierge Care:
- All treatments are provided in our comfortable office in a relaxed, unhurried, gentle way.
- Dr. Rosen is passionate about teaching and makes sure that patients’ questions are answered thoroughly and understandably.
- Every patient has access to Dr. Rosen via email/cell phone.
- Affordable Care: While many vein treatments may be coverable by commercial insurance or Medicare, there are typically some out-of-pocket costs in every case. We strongly believe in providing affordable care to everyone in the most transparent, cost-effective way possible. Nobody is turned away based on financial means. Payment plans may be arranged.
