Spider veins
Spider veins due toRemove sclerotherapy
Spider veins are fine, Dilated veins, which are reddish to bluish shimmer through the skin. Although they are considered smaller compared to larger varicose veins harmless they can cause discomfort and are considered a clinical picture - especially if they occur over a large area and cause hyperthermia or Mild pain cause. Spider veins are the smallest 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 with a bluish-reddish vascular pattern. As this discolouration resembles brushwood tied into a broom, this appearance gave the disease its special name: Broom veins.
In half of the cases, however, varicose veins located deeper in the leg are the cause of spider vein formation, so that after them targeted with the Ultrasound should be searched for. If these are overlooked, new spider veins can quickly develop.
The therapy
Gentle but effective sclerotherapy
The sclerosing agent polidocanol is injected with a thin needle into liquid form (in contrast to foam sclerotherapy) is injected into the affected vein, which then closes and is broken down by the body over the next few weeks. The needle is Extremely thin and barely noticeable, However, the injection itself can sometimes be perceived as slightly burning.
In order to promote the healing process, it is advisable to wear the Wearing compression stockings is applied. This leads to improved treatment results. You can resume your normal everyday life immediately after treatment.
As spider veins in up to 50% of cases a sign of a deeper-lying relevant vein problem (e.g. varicose veins) every new patient in our practice receives a personalised consultation before the first sclerotherapy. Ultrasound of the leg veins incl. vein function diagnostics, to establish an initial status. Sclerotherapy of spider veins with a deeper vein problem will not be successful and may even lead to an increase in spider veins.
Under certain circumstances, extensive findings several sessions necessary for a complete removal of your spider veins, as the applicable Maximum quantity of sclerosant per day is limited. I would be happy to clarify with you in a personal dialogue, whether the sclerotherapy procedure is suitable for you.
Frequently asked questions on the topic of "spider veins"
Spider veins are small, dilated and bluish or reddish shimmering veins at skin level. They are similar in appearance to the previously used spider veins, which gave them their name. These are the smallest varicose veins, as they also have internal venous valves that are defective, causing the blood to accumulate in the vein and making the vein visible to the eye. They differ from other varicose veins in their size and their health significance. They do not pose any medical risk, but they can cause discomfort, such as itching when there is increased blood flow.
The number of sessions required depends on how extensive the findings are and, of course, on how well the patient responds to the treatment. Unfortunately, a response to the treatment is not guaranteed. The active ingredient polidocanol, which is injected into the spider vein with a very fine needle, leads to a slight inflammation of the spider vein, causing it to be broken down by the body, which is perceived from the outside as a slow shrinkage. This shrinking process usually takes 6 weeks. Immediately after the medication is injected into the spider vein, it is immediately 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 has been temporarily displaced by the transparent medication.
As spider veins are small varicose veins and therefore a disease (ICD 10), the costs are generally 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 an ultrasound examination of the affected leg is always carried out in my practice before spider veins are treated. The spider vein can then either be sclerosed with polidocanol in my practice or welded by a dermatologist using laser treatment. I use the active ingredient polidocanol to sclerose spider veins, as it is the only drug authorised 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 otherwise unsightly brownish hyperpigmentation may occur in the treated areas. After the treatment, the patient is fully mobile and there are no restrictions in everyday life, sport or the ability to work.
The drug Polidocanol is injected into the spider vein with a very thin needle (30 mm cannula) to obliterate the spider vein. Initially you will feel a small prick and then often a very brief burning sensation when the medication is injected. In order to feel the injection less, it is possible to rub an anaesthetic ointment (available without prescription) into the areas to be treated 2-3 hours before the treatment.
Impressions of the practice
