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Vein Care

Welcome to the Vein Centre at the Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery Centre. You can now have your spider veins treated by a trained specialist in our facility.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is an increasingly growing method of treating superficial telangiectasia or spider veins. These tiny veins do not function properly thus creating a weakening of the walls and they appear visible just under the skin surface. These tiny veins are injected with a Sclerosing agent or hypertonic saline. After the injection the walls of the tiny vessels are collapsed and are held together with an external garment worn over the legs. After time passes the vessels are no longer functional and no further blood will fill the veins and they disappear.

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatments will vary by individual. Some patient's will only require one treatment, while others may return for a series to achieve the desired results.

What Causes Them?

For both varicose and spider veins, heredity is the main cause. The risk of developing these leg vein problems increases for women who are pregnant or using birth control pills because hormones such as estrogen can further weaken vein walls. Obesity and lack of exercise which weaken the system of leg veins are also factors. The risk of developing varicose veins increases with age for both men and women.

The "second heart" is a system of muscles, veins and valves in the calf and foot that work together as a pump to keep blood moving toward the heart against gravity. This system, though strong and capable of carrying tremendous weight and pressure, has a weak link: the venous (vein) system. Like the heart in our chest, the second heart keeps healthy through regular exercise.

How can I help prevent them?

Almost 80 million women and men in this country alone experience leg vein problems, including half of the women over the age of 40. Once spider and varicose veins develop, however, there is no way for the body to cure them. Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent these problems from spreading and alleviate symptoms. The sum of these preventive measures is referred to as the conservative approach. Wearing support stockings with compression is the most common type of conservative treatment. Regular exercise promotes healthy circulation within the second heart and also slows the development of new varicose and spider veins. Diet, lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and other natural alternatives can also compliment the conservative approach. There are other things you can do to promote good leg vein health, including:

	Avoid birth control pills
	Eat a high fiber diet to prevent constipation
	Don’t wear tight clothes
	Elevate legs at bedtime (about 6 to 12 inches above the heart)
	Explore natural alternatives, such as massage and dietary supplements (vitamins C &E may help relieve swelling and other symptoms of poor circulation)
	Avoid crossing your legs

Following these measures is the best defense against the spread or development of these vein problems. If you are at risk for developing either spider or varicose veins, start these conservative and preventive measures soon.

What are the most common side effects?

	Itching. Usually lasts only 1-2 days.
	Skin pigmentation. Occasionally the skin will form a brown spot over the area of injection. Most of the time this pigmentation is temporary.
	Skin Ulcers. In less than 3% of the cases, a skin sore or ulceration may form over the area of injection.
	Allergic Reaction. A rare event. If you have allergies, please alert us prior to the treatment.
	Pain. The injection is done with a tiny gauge needle and this may cause some discomfort. A mild stinging sensation may linger for a few days.
	Flare formation. A blush in the skin may appear immediately following the injection. This is usually self limiting.

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Erel Laufer, MD, FACS l Jay H. Ross, MD, FACS l Jennifer Buck, MD, FACS
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