Maybe you were out for a round of golf, a match of pickleball, or a leisurely walk through some of the most serene landscapes of Florida. But then, you noticed an ache in your legs after enjoying some of your favorite pastimes. Don’t ignore it, because it might indicate a more serious issue under the surface.
Spider and varicose veins can interrupt even an active lifestyle with pain and discomfort. Not only that, but their appearance can be a source of insecurity, especially when you wear your favorite pair of shorts or a new sundress that shows your legs.
Florida Lakes Vein Center offers sclerotherapy near Sarasota to improve the appearance of your veins, offer relief from associated symptoms, and reduce your risk of further complications. Read on to gain insight into some common questions we receive at our practice regarding vein conditions and sclerotherapy.
What types of veins does sclerotherapy treat?
First, it helps to understand the difference between spider veins and varicose veins. These are both vein conditions, but they differ in appearance, size, and severity; we can treat both with sclerotherapy.
Spider Veins
As the name suggests, spider veins appear as thin red, blue, or purple lines that resemble spider webs beneath the surface of your skin. If you have thin, spindly lines on your legs, ankles, or feet, these are probably spider veins.
For most, visible spider veins are purely a cosmetic worry. Many adults will develop this common concern at some point in their lives, but it doesn’t have many associated symptoms. So while most people don’t feel anything, spider veins can cause:
- Tiredness in the legs
- Itchy skin
- Minor pain
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins, on the other hand, are large, bulging, and discolored veins under the skin resulting from weakened vein walls and poor circulation. The weak walls and valves cannot properly direct blood flow, leading to the formation of varicosities. Many times, the pressure caused by improper blood flow means spider veins form next to the varicose vein.
Varicose veins, usually blue or purple in color, look swollen and twisted. If you have a raised, bulging, or rope-like vein, it is likely a varicose vein. We can treat them using injections for sclerotherapy near Sarasota.
Most of the time, varicose veins do not pose a threat, but sometimes, they can indicate serious health concerns. Monitor the development of visible veins and consult with a vein specialist to confirm they don’t signal underlying complications.
Even if they don’t stem from a more serious condition, varicose veins can result in uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Heaviness in the legs
- Itchiness and pain
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Venous ulcers
You can reduce these symptoms by improving circulation and minimizing swelling. Experts recommend moving around and elevating your legs multiple times throughout the day to improve blood flow.
But at Florida Lakes Vein Center, we use sclerotherapy near Sarasota to address vein concerns, stopping them at the source, rather than simply minimizing symptoms.
What are the causes of spider and varicose veins?
Both spider and varicose veins have similar causes, many of which result from lifestyle choices and natural processes. Don’t worry—sclerotherapy near Sarasota easily treats these vein conditions.
You have a higher chance of developing spider or varicose veins if you are:
- Experiencing hormone fluctuations from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills. Estrogen causes veins to dilate and weaken, resulting in spider or varicose veins.
- Sedentary or not living an active lifestyle. Sitting or standing for long periods of time puts extra pressure on the veins in the legs.
- Overweight and have a BMI greater than 30.
- Genetically predisposed or have a family history of vein complications.
- Naturally aging, since veins weaken with time.
- A smoker, as nicotine constricts blood vessels and impairs circulation.
What is sclerotherapy?
Our providers help eliminate discomfort and improve the appearance of visible lower leg veins by injecting a solution into the problematic vein. By treating both spider and varicose veins, sclerotherapy near Sarasota at Florida Lakes Vein Center helps restore a healthier appearance in the legs and minimizes uncomfortable symptoms.
The solution, called a sclerosant, contains the active ingredient polidocanol, which irritates the lining of your blood vessels, causing them to expand and scar over.
This collapses the vein, closing it off for good. This collapse redirects blood flow to healthier veins, while the treated vein gets reabsorbed into the body and its appearance fades.
What can I expect during my sclerotherapy treatment?
When you choose Florida Lakes Vein Center as your destination for vein treatments, you choose a reputable vein clinic with options for advanced procedures. Our talented vein specialists have performed over 10,000 vein treatments!
Here, we outline our process, so you can understand what sclerotherapy at Florida Lakes Vein Center looks like.
Free Vein Screenings
We provide vein screenings in our office, free of charge. Our vein specialists ask questions about your lifestyle, family history, and present symptoms to understand risk factors and your vein health.
They may ask you about symptoms like:
- Leg heaviness or fatigue
- Restless legs
- Itching or burning skin
- Leg or ankle swelling
- Leg pain, aching, cramping, or throbbing
- Skin discoloration or texture changes
- Open wounds or sores
Your provider also asks for more information about:
- Any family history of vein disease
- Your general physical activity levels
- Whether or how often you smoke cigarettes
Individual Consultation
After your vein screening, we go over next steps with one of our team members. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so we conduct detailed consultations to understand you and your unique concerns. You have the chance to tell us about your symptoms and medical history, so we can provide you with the best care possible.
We open the floor for you to discuss your concerns about spider or varicose veins and ask any questions you may have. Once we better understand the possible causes of your vein issues, we discuss treatment options, such as sclerotherapy near Sarasota.
Ultrasound Diagnosis
Through ultrasound, we get a clearer look at your veins and the surrounding tissue. This efficient and comfortable process allows us to gather information to properly diagnose and plan treatment for vein concerns.
Your provider applies a gel to the imaging area. The transducer, or the device that gathers the information from sound waves, slides over the gel and captures information that gives our vein specialists a clear view of any vein issues.
During your ultrasound, we look at the size of your vein, as well as its function. If your vein is 3 millimeters or larger or has a reflux of 500 milliseconds or more, it is considered medically necessary to treat, and therefore may be covered by insurance. Although sclerotherapy doesn’t involve any incisions, many insurance companies categorize these vein treatments as surgical procedures.
Sclerotherapy Procedure
After the ultrasound and diagnosis, we schedule your appointment for sclerotherapy.
Near Sarasota, our providers prioritize your safety, health, and comfort during every step of the process. We start with a numbing injection that helps prepare the treatment area for the sclerosant. Then, we inject the sclerotherapy solution into the spider or varicose vein to seal it off.
Most sclerotherapy appointments last approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Depending on the condition of your veins, you may need 4 or more appointments to effectively close off your spider or varicose veins.
After Sclerotherapy
The sclerotherapy procedure requires little to no downtime. Our vein specialists monitor you for a few minutes after your injection to keep you comfortable and watch for any adverse reactions.
Once we clear you to leave, we wrap your leg in a medical bandage to provide light compression. This should stay on for the next 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. You may notice some minor bruising and swelling, but that should resolve after a few weeks.
Your skin will be sensitive post-treatment, so we recommend the following:
- Minimize sun exposure and refrain from using tanning beds for a few weeks to allow the treated area to properly heal.
- Avoid excessive heat from hot tubs, baths, and saunas to reduce inflammation.
- Don’t take ibuprofen or aspirin, as the ingredients may interrupt the sclerosing agent.
After 6 to 8 weeks, the veins will fade, and you should see a noticeable difference in the appearance and associated symptoms. You can finally wake up free of aches, discomfort, and unsightly veins. The pool, the golf course, or the music festival is calling your name!
What are the contraindications for sclerotherapy?
We may recommend choosing an alternative treatment or postponing your sclerotherapy if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an allergy to the solution
- Have DVT or blood clotting disorders
Through our vein screening and consultation, we gather a more comprehensive understanding of your medical history and any risk factors for vein disease. If sclerotherapy near Sarasota is not suitable for your current condition, we can discuss alternative treatment options.
Feel Free From Visible Veins and Their Discomfort
Don’t put your active lifestyle on pause because of spider and varicose veins. If you have aching, pain, heaviness, or if you just don’t like the look of your visible veins, our team at Florida Lakes Vein Center can help.
We help you make informed decisions based on your symptoms, family history, and lifestyle choices. We guide you through the process of sclerotherapy near Sarasota to enhance your confidence and comfort. Your favorite activities, from taking the grandkids to the pool to golfing in the sun or walking around the farmers market, are no longer interrupted by vein concerns.
To learn more or to speak with a vein specialist, request a free vein screening. You can also use our online Vein Screening Tool and answer a few questions to get recommendations from our experts.
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