Spider Veins Specialist
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Y. H. Salem, MD, FACS
Acid Reflux and General Surgeon & Varicose Vein Specialist located in Huntington Beach, CA & Anaheim, CA
Spider veins, similar to varicose veins, can be unappealing to look at and affect your self-confidence. Dr. Y.H. Salem performs safe, effective sclerotherapy procedures to treat spider veins at his offices in Foothill Ranch, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim, California. Medical intervention for spider veins not only provides cosmetic benefits but also helps stave off more serious health problems later. To learn more about how to treat spider veins, call or schedule an appointment online today.
Spider Veins
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are a collection of threadlike red lines or patterns that accumulate just beneath the surface of your skin. They form gradually and most often in clusters, giving them a web-like appearance.
Unfortunately, spider veins most commonly form in areas where they’re easily visible, mainly your arms and legs. They can be uncomfortable and annoying but generally aren’t severe or life-threatening. Most often, they are unpleasant to look at, and treatment can provide cosmetic benefits for mild spider veins. However, if left untreated for too long, they develop gradually and can be worsened by health and beauty products that cause skin irritation, such as soaps and sponges.
What are common symptoms of spider veins?
The most common sign to look out for is the accumulation of red, threadlike patterns on your skin. Many of the other signs and symptoms are similar to those of varicose veins, including:
- Discomfort
- Severe itching
- Aching
- Throbbing
- Burning
- Heaviness
- Swelling
If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins can be caused by underlying conditions that lead to a backup of blood in the vessels that transport blood to your heart. When valves in your blood vessels weaken, they may not work correctly. Some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing spider veins include:
- Aging
- Alcoholism
- Pregnancy
- Skin conditions, such as rosacea
- Corticosteroid use
Exposure to the sun and injuries are also believed to be possible causes of spider veins.
How do you treat spider veins?
Dr. Salem offers both injection and laser sclerotherapy procedures to treat spider veins. During the procedure, he injects a chemical solution or administers light energy directly into the affected vein, causing it to scar and fade off.
Sclerotherapy is highly effective, reasonably simple, and perfectly safe. The number of treatment sessions you need depends on the size and number of veins affected. For smaller veins, full sclerotherapy results are visible after 3-6 weeks. For larger veins, treatment sessions may be spread out over six weeks, and results are visible after 3-4 months.
Call or schedule an appointment online today if you have spider veins and want to find out if sclerotherapy is right for you.
