Nonsurgical
Sclerotherapy Spider Vein Treatment Using Hypertonic Saline
Spider veins are dilated small blood vessels that may appear on the skin or mucous membranes anywhere in the body. These may resemble webs, branches, or thin lines that may be red, purple, or blue in color. This issue tends to be more common in individuals over the age of 30 and pregnant women. Spider webs may result from a variety of causes ranging from obesity to heredity, fluctuations in hormone levels, and even trauma. In some cases, doctors do not know the precise cause. Symptoms may include the following:
- Achiness or a ‘heavy’ feeling affecting the legs
- Pain that worsens after standing or sitting for a long duration
- Throbbing, burning, swelling, or muscle cramping in the lower legs
- Discoloration in the skin around varicose veins
- Itching around one or more veins
Kristin Green, PA-C and McKenzie Rush, PA-C use sclerotherapy to alleviate spider webs in both male and female clients. This method entails injecting a special solution (hypertonic saline) directly into the vein so it can scar. This in turn forces blood to find another route through veins that are healthier. The collapsed vein is then reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue and eventually disappears. This technique is highly effective, inexpensive, and does not cause allergic reactions. However, patients can expect to experience significant pain and an intense burning sensation. A pain reliever may be used to improve the discomfort.