Those ugly spider veins
SPIDER veins are those ugly little veins which some women observe on their legs as they get older. These veins may be short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair, or they may be connected in a starburst pattern. They may look like a spiderweb or a tree with branches. They may be very unattractive.
Some women complain of aching pain, tired legs, swelling of the legs, darkening of the area where the veins are, numbness of the legs or itching over the veins.
These spider veins are fairly common and in some surveys we find some one in four women suffering with them.
They usually arise from standing for long periods, or after pregnancy, after taking birth control pills, or after other hormone treatments. An increase in weight may also be a cause for these veins to develop.
Standing for long periods causes the veins to dilate, that is to become larger, and after a time these veins may develop. The usual age at which these veins develop is between 18 and 25 years and the peak incidence for these veins is 50-60 years.
When you visit the doctor, he will want a detailed history and he will do a complete examination. He will also want to do a blood test to rule out diabetes. He may also prescribe an exercise programme so that you really exercise the muscles of your legs and he may want you to lose some weight. Usually the treatments are done in the doctor’s office and no anaesthetic is necessary.
The injection treatment is the gold standard of treatment for these veins. The treatment consists of injections of solutions into the veins. These cause the walls of the vein to swell, stick together and seal off. This stops the flow of blood in the vein and the vein turns into scar tissue.
We usually use some tiny injection needles smaller than the size of a pin and we use diabetic syringes in this procedure. After the injection treatment, bandages are applied to the injection site and the patient is sent home. We usually see the patient in 24 hours and then in 72 hours and then in a month’s time.
It is important for the patient to understand that the treatment may take as much as three months before they see the results they want. At the initial treatment session only a few veins are injected to make sure that the treatment works, that the patient is happy with the injections and committed to the treatment.
After three months have passed, we then inject the rest of the veins. Lasers can also be used to treat these veins. In laser treatment a strong burst of light is directed at the vein. This makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Lasers are direct and accurate. Now, although some patients may prefer the laser because no needles are involved, be warned that when the laser hits the skin it can be very painful. A laser treatment lasts about 15-20 minutes. The laser is not used for the larger veins.
So if you have these ugly spider veins you do not have to suffer with them. Just visit your dermatologist who will be able to help you.
Dr Persadsingh is a skin specialist. He is the author of Acne in Black Women and The Hair in Black Women. Visit his website at acneinblackwomen.com for a free download of cosmetics for the woman with acne.
