My spider veins bother me more than the other stuff the doctor found on ultrasound so can I just get my spider veins fixed?

You generally don't have to fix underlying venous insufficiency before treating your spider veins. However, most vein doctors will often assess for and treat more serious symptomatic underlying venous issues first, as spider veins can sometimes be an early sign of venous insufficiency. If the cosmetic appearance bothers you more than the physical symptoms, you likely would not qualify for your health insurance to pay for the treatment. In general, the findings of lower extremity venous insufficiency alone in the absence of other symptoms will not require treatment. While the exact number varies, a significant percentage of adults over 50, particularly women, are affected by venous insufficiency in the superficial venous system. The risk increases with age, and it is considered a common condition in this demographic.

What is Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is a condition where the valves in your leg veins, which are supposed to keep blood flowing back toward the heart, become damaged or weakened. This causes blood to pool in the veins, leading to increased pressure and a host of issues, including varicose veins and, in some cases, spider veins.

While spider veins are typically a cosmetic concern, they can be an early indicator of this underlying circulatory problem. A vein specialist will usually use an ultrasound to check the health of your veins before recommending treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatments for both venous insufficiency and spider veins work by redirecting blood flow away from the damaged veins to healthier ones.

Treatments for Venous Insufficiency

• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of sitting or standing can help manage symptoms.

• Compression stockings: These specially designed socks apply pressure to your legs to improve blood flow.

• Minimally invasive procedures: Procedures like endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) use heat to close off the affected veins.

• Sclerotherapy: This involves injecting a solution into the vein to cause it to scar and collapse.

Treatments for Spider Veins

• Sclerotherapy: This is the most common and effective treatment for spider veins on the legs.

• Laser treatment: This non-invasive option uses concentrated light to heat and destroy smaller veins, and is often used for spider veins on the face.

If you have both conditions and you are truly symptomatic with any of the following (pain, swelling, aching, itching, restless leg syndrome), we often recommend treating the underlying venous insufficiency first, as this can sometimes improve the appearance of the spider veins and prevent new ones from forming. Treating the underlying cause helps ensure a better and more lasting cosmetic result for the spider veins.