Spider and varicose veins are a very common concern. Larger dilated leg veins which raise above the skin and bulge are called varicose veins and are investigated using duplex ultrasound, which is a non-invasive imaging test which can be performed to delineate the extent of the disease.
Depending on the results, you may be a candidate for endovenous laser ablation or ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. These procedures are not performed at the Skin Specialist Centre.
Superficial small, thin leg veins that are close to the surface of the skin on the lower extremity are called spider veins (tiny pink, red or purple vessels). They can be spider shaped, linear or branch-like. Spider veins are best treated with sclerotherapy, an essentially painless procedure whereby a sclerosant is injected into the unwanted vessel, which irritates the vessel walls, causing the vein to collapse and fade. Dr McKerrow uses a solution called Aethoxycerol, which is safer and less uncomfortable than the older hypertonic saline solutions. In a large number of cases, we use the Gemini and Excel V, long pulsed Yag lasers and the Candela VBeam Perfecta pulse dye laser either alone or in combination.
We advise all patients having treatment for their spider leg veins to wear compression stockings for between three days and two weeks, depending on the size and extent of the vessels treated. Multiple treatments are typically required and are very effective.
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