Spider Veins vs Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Spider veins are smaller, red, purple and blue vessels that also twist and turn. They are easily visible through the skin and affect the capillaries.
They look like spider’s web or tree branches and are visible on the legs. These can often cause aching or cramping in the legs.
Other common symptoms include tiredness, restlessness, burning, throbbing or heaviness in the legs. Pain is usually relieved by elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins. They happen most often in the legs.
They can develop when valves in your veins become damaged. This causes problems with blood flow. Over time, too much blood collects in your veins.
The veins may bulge, twist and stand out under your skin. They can cause symptoms such as cramping, aching or swelling in your legs.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive medical procedure that effectively treats varicose veins and spider veins. It is often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse and stick together and the blood to clot.
The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades. Treated veins tend to fade within a few weeks, although occasionally it can take a month or more to see the full results. It is usually done for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins.
The procedure can also improve related symptoms such as aching, swelling, burning and night cramps. The number of sclerotherapy treatments required depends on how severe your vein condition is.
What to expect after Sclerotherapy?
You may experience mild symptoms such as itching after the procedure that can last for 1-2 days after the procedure. You may also experience raised, red areas at the injection site.
This should disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection site and can last serval days to a week. Larger veins that have been injected may become lumpy and hard and may require several months to dissolve and fade.
Brown lines or spots may appear at the vein site. These tend to disappear within 3-6 months.