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Cosmetic
Dermatology Conditions - Spider
/ Varicose Veins
Spider veins
are most often seen on the legs
and thighs of both men and
women. Often the result of
pregnancy, leg swelling, or
hereditary tendency, these veins
are tiny bluish-red "stringy,
tree-like" groupings that are
primarily unsightly rather than
symptomatic.
The treatment of these areas is
not difficult, but may involve
repeat visits to the
dermatologist as they tend to
recur in different areas
throughout one's lifetime. There
is no over-the-counter treatment
for the prevention and treatment
of spider veins. Sclerotherapy
is an intra-office procedure
where the dermatologist injects
a compound that destroys or
collapses the tiny vessels. Such
FDA-approved compounds include
hypertonic saline and sodium
tetradecyl sulfate.
One
non-FDA-approved compound
recently used with great
efficacy is aethoxysclerol. With
a majority of these treatments,
post-treatment
hyperpigmentation, ulcerations,
or allergic reactions may be
encountered. Post-treatment use
of compression stockings is
strongly recommended for 7 days
after therapy. Use of dedicated
laser systems or intense pulsed
light systems has also been used
with some efficacy in treating
spider veins.
Varicose veins are widely seen
in many people, but are
primarily noted in those persons
of greater weight or after
pregnancy. These are the larger
compressible green-blue veins
noted primarily from the knee
down. The primary reason for
their development is the
malfunction of the venous valves
that assist blood return to the
heart. While sclerosants
mentioned above may be used by
some physicians in the treatment
of these veins, there is no
satisfactory treatment available
asides from surgical removal.
Compression hose is a staple of
varicose vein therapy as well as
weight or lower extremity
swelling correction. If these
varicose veins are associated
with pain, it would be very wise
to consult a vascular surgeon
regarding the best available
treatment.
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