Customer question:
I have veins on my legs - what are the causes, and how can I help myself with these veins?
Pharmacist's response:
Spider or varicose veins can affect more than just your appearance. These said veins could cause severe discomfort. With some varicose veins, there is a risk of complications, such as a blood clot or open wounds on the legs. You can eliminate clots or fade veins on your legs with minimally invasive treatment. Therapy can also reduce symptoms such as pain and fatigue and prevent complications.
Varicose and spider veins are damaged veins. They develop when the tiny, one-way valves in the veins weaken and, as a result, no longer perform their essential role. In healthy veins, these valves push blood in one direction - back to the heart. Some blood flows backward and pools in the vein when these valves weaken. Excess blood in the vein puts pressure on the vein walls. With constant pressure, the vessel walls weaken and bulge. Over time, we notice varicose or spider veins.
Some people have a higher risk of developing these vessel deformities. If your blood relatives have them, you also have a higher risk of developing them. Many people get them from sitting or standing for long periods most days of the week. These veins also appear more often with age and during pregnancy. Varicose veins can also result from sunlight, hormonal changes, or injury.
Treatment options range from self-care and medication to minor surgery. Self-care tips can help prevent new varicose and spider veins from forming, making it harder to get rid of existing ones.
Your dermatologist can give you practical tips to improve blood circulation, such as:
- exercise
- leg lift
- regular walking every 30 minutes (if you have a daily sitting position)
- or resting after a long-standing work during the day
- avoiding prolonged soaking in hot baths
Compression socks
These stockings apply graduated pressure to help move blood back to the heart. Even pressure also reduces swelling in the lower legs and reduces the risk of a blood clot. However, you will still have visible veins on your legs. If you need compression stockings, you can be examined by a dermatologist to get the right size and the right amount of pressure.
Sclerotherapy
This is the most common method of treating varicose veins on the legs. Over the years, dermatologists have improved sclerotherapy to make it safer and give better results to patients. Today, dermatologists use it to treat spider veins and smaller varicose veins.
Your dermatologist injects a chemical into the spider or varicose vein that irritates the vein wall. Next, they are injected into different areas of the vein, and after the injections, your dermatologist may also massage the area. A compression sock is then placed on each leg. They will watch you for a while, and then you can go home.
To prevent possible side effects, you must walk daily and wear compression stockings according to the instructions. Most patients wear compression stockings for 2 to 3 weeks. Then, you can return to work and most activities the next day.
Sclerotherapy causes the walls of the vein to stick together so that blood can no longer flow through it. This improves circulation in the treated leg and reduces swelling. Spider veins usually disappear within 3 to 6 weeks. However, this procedure makes varicose veins visible for another 3 to 4 months. Therefore, you may need 2 or 3 treatments for the best results. A dermatologist can perform these treatments during an office visit. Anesthesia is not required.
Laser treatment
Dermatologists use lasers to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. During laser treatment, your dermatologist directs laser light at the vein. Laser light can deactivate the vein without damaging the skin.
Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment. More prominent spider and varicose veins darken, and you will probably notice them for another 1 to 3 months before they disappear entirely. You may need three or more of these treatments for complete cleansing. Most patients can return to work and do many everyday activities the next day. Some patients must wear compression stockings for a short time after each treatment.
Each patient will need to protect the treated area from the sun for approximately 3 to 4 weeks, which helps prevent the formation of dark spots. In addition, protecting your skin from the sun all year round helps avoid the appearance of new spider veins and protects your skin from possible skin cancer.
Medication Detralex
The drug Detralex is used in adults and is intended to treat symptoms of chronic venous disease. Chronic venous disease is a disease of the veins in the legs in which the blood drains too slowly from the lower limbs, so the fluid passes through the wall of the capillaries (the smallest vessels) and accumulates in the tissue.
The disease manifests as painful or tired legs, feeling of heavy legs, itching, night cramps in the legs, the appearance of varicose veins (varicose veins) on the legs, and swelling of the legs.
Interesting reading: Inflammation of veins in the legs
Interesting reading: Swelling of the leg - causes
