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THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2009

Sclerotherapy and Laser Therapy for Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

by Rita Kent, R.N. and Shelley Sekula Gibbs, M.D.

Spider veins are small veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Several factors contribute to the development of this condition, including heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, certain medications, or an occupation that demands long periods of standing or sitting. Sclerotherapy and more recently laser treatment have been successful in treating these unsightly veins.

Varicose veins differ from spider veins in a number of ways. Varicose veins are larger, usually more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, darker in color and tend to bulge. They are also more likely to be painful and be related to more serious vein disorders. For some patients, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose veins, but surgical intervention is sometimes necessary.

Preventing spider and varicose veins may not be possible if one is genetically predisposed to develop them, but there are several sensible suggestions that may assist:

• Maintain good muscle tone through exercise.
• Avoid exercise that pounds or shocks the legs, such as prolonged running or jumping on hard surfaces.
• Wear well cushioned shoes and support hose. (Knee-high support hose and thigh-high support hose are available at the office.)
• Avoid trauma to the legs.
• When pregnant, avoid excessive weight gain and elevate the legs whenever possible.

If sclerotherapy is indicated, the most commonly used treatment is with what is known as a sclerosant. Dr. Sekula Gibbs primarily employs the FDA approved drug, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol). There are side effects associated with the use of this drug that must be considered including allergic reaction, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, ulceration and tissue discoloration. Each patient should discuss these and other possible side effects with Dr. Sekula Gibbs prior to its use.  Multiple treatments are usually necessary and bruising usually resolves after 4 weeks.

Laser therapy can also be a quick and efficient treatment for small spider veins.  Multiple treatments (2 to 4) are usually necessary and a period of about 6 weeks is often necessary for bruises and blisters to resolve.  No needles and no medications are used with laser vein treatment.

Women of all ages may be good candidates for sclerotherapy and laser spider vein treatment. In some people spider veins may become noticeable in the teen years; others may find that they do not appear until much later in life. Spider veins and varicose veins are not as common in men as they are in women, however sclerotherapy and laser vein removal are just as effective in men who seek treatment.

Before deciding to have sclerotherapy or laser vein therapy think carefully about it and discuss it with Dr. Sekula Gibbs or her associates.