spider veins
Remove spider veins with sclerotherapy at
Spider veins are fine, dilated veins that shimmer reddish to bluish through the skin. Although they are considered harmless compared to larger varicose veins, they can cause discomfort and are considered a clinical condition—especially when they occur over a large area and cause overheating or mild pain. Spider veins are tiny varicose veins located at skin level (technical term: C1 varicosis). A defect in the venous valves in the skin veins causes the small veins to dilate, resulting in bluish-reddish vascular markings. Since this discoloration resembles brushwood tied to a broom, this appearance gave the condition its special name: spider veins.
However, in half of all cases, varicose veins located deeper in the leg are the cause of spider veins, so they should be specifically searched for using ultrasound. If these are overlooked, new spider veins can quickly develop.
The therapy
Gentle but effective sclerotherapy
The sclerosing agent polidocanol is injected in liquid form (as opposed to foam sclerotherapy) into the affected vein using a thin needle. The vein then closes and is broken down by the body over the course of the following weeks. The needle is extremely thin and barely noticeable, but the injection itself can sometimes cause a slight burning sensation.
To promote the healing process, it is advisable to wear compression stockings for a few days after sclerotherapy. This leads to improved treatment results. You can resume your normal daily routine immediately after treatment.
Since spider veins can be a sign of a deeper underlying vein problem (e.g., varicose veins) in up to 50% of cases, every new patient in our practice undergoes an ultrasound of the leg veins, including vein function diagnostics, before the first sclerotherapy treatment in order to determine the initial status. Sclerotherapy of spider veins in cases of underlying vein problems will not be successful and may even lead to an increase in spider veins.
In some cases, multiple sessions may be necessary to completely remove your spider veins, as the maximum amount of sclerosing agent that can be applied per day is limited. I would be happy to discuss with you in person whether sclerotherapy is a suitable option for you.
Frequently asked questions about spider veins
Spider veins are small, dilated veins with a bluish or reddish sheen located at skin level. They resemble the brooms used in the past, which is how they got their name. They are tiny varicose veins, as they also have internal venous valves that are defective, causing blood to pool in the vein and making it visible to the eye. They differ from other varicose veins in terms of their size and their significance for health. They pose no medical risk, but they can cause discomfort, such as itching when blood flow increases.
The number of sessions required depends on the extent of the condition and, of course, on how well the patient responds to the treatment. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the patient will respond to the treatment. The active ingredient polidocanol, which is injected into the spider vein with a very fine needle, causes slight inflammation of the spider vein, which is then broken down by the body, resulting in a slow shrinking process that is visible from the outside. This shrinking process usually takes 6 weeks. Immediately after the medication is injected into the spider vein, it becomes invisible (this can be seen very clearly in short clips on the internet), but reappears after a few seconds as the venous blood returns to the spider vein, which was temporarily displaced by the transparent medication.
Since spider veins are small varicose veins and therefore a medical condition (ICD 10), the costs are usually covered by private health insurance companies. Statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs of treatment.
50% of all patients with spider veins also have deeper vein problems, so in every case, an ultrasound examination of the affected leg is performed in my practice before treating spider veins. The spider veins can then either be sclerosed with polidocanol in my practice or sealed by a dermatologist using laser treatment. I use the active ingredient polidocanol to sclerose the spider veins, as it is the only medication approved in Germany for the treatment of spider veins. I usually treat all spider veins in one session. It is important not to expose the treated skin areas to strong UV radiation (sun, solarium) for 6 weeks after the treatment, as this can lead to unsightly brownish hyperpigmentation on the treated areas. After the treatment, the patient is fully mobile and there are no restrictions in everyday life, sports, or work.
The drug polidocanol is injected into the spider vein using a very thin needle (30 gauge cannula) to destroy it. You will initially feel a small prick and then often a very brief burning sensation when the drug is injected. To reduce the sensation of the injection, it is possible to apply an anesthetic ointment (available without a prescription) to the areas to be treated 2-3 hours before the treatment.
Impressions from practice
