Spider Vein Treatment with Sclerotherapy

Spider veins are dilated blood vessels that form just under the skin and result in red, blue or purple clusters of veins visible on the skin’s surface. Besides the appearance of these veins, other symptoms may include skin redness, itching, a firm, tender and warm vein, and for some patients, pain and swelling. Spider veins can be caused by pregnancy, heredity, weight gain and standing or sitting for long periods. These same factors contribute to larger varicose veins.

It is important to understand that not all the visible veins on your legs are spider veins.

Some of your visible veins may be intermediate size reticular veins or even varicose veins. Each of our patients receives a Duplex Doppler Ultrasound exam prior to treatment so that we can determine exactly what venous problems exist and develop an appropriate, individualized treatment plan.

Spider Vein Treatment

For symptomatic spider veins, depending upon the severity, we may recommend walking, anti-inflammatory medications, cold compresses and compression stockings as conservative treatment approaches. However, in most cases, sclerotherapy is the best spider vein treatment option.

Sclerotherapy is a simple treatment performed for spider veins that is performed in the office with local anesthetic. We use a very small needle to inject medication into the veins, which causes them to collapse and disappear. Most patients can return to their normal activities immediately after sclerotherapy. Some patients may experience temporary bruising, tenderness or swelling after treatment. Compression stockings must be worn following treatments. The number of treatments will vary depending upon the patient and the severity of the spider veins. Many of the veins will disappear during the first treatment and will continue to improve over time.

For more information, you may contact Vein Specialists of Illinois at 847-468-9900, located at 1670 Capital Street, Suite 500 in Elgin. You may also use this form to schedule your Free Vein Screening!