How to Treat Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are raised and blue, and are caused by leaky valves inside superficial leg veins. Because superficial veins have less muscle and bone to support them, their walls are more apt to weaken and balloon out.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Compression Hose
• Elastic Support Hose

1. Wear lightweight compression hosiery for small varicose veins, heavier elastic support stockings for advanced varicose veins not being treated by a surgeon.

2. Consult a board-certified dermatologic or vascular surgeon about your varicose veins.

3. Have an outpatient duplex scan or ultrasound of your legs to rule out deep vein and/or circulatory disease.

4. Talk to your doctor about sclerotherapy, a popular treatment.

5. Explore laser treatment. No injections or surgery are required. One vein generally requires four to six treatments, lasting 15 to 20 minutes each.

6. Evaluate vein stripping. With this surgical procedure, a vascular surgeon makes an incision in your leg, often in your groin, locates your varicose vein, ties it off, and sometimes removes it. Stripping requires general anesthesia, and is usually performed in a hospital operating room.

7. Be aware that after vein-stripping surgery you will wear a firm bandage from foot to mid-thigh for two to three days. You will be asked to rest and keep your leg elevated as much as possible.

8. Ask about ambulatory phlebectomy. With this procedure, your dermatologic surgeon inserts a small hooked instrument into tiny incisions he has made on the underside of your skin to collapse your veins.

9. Know that some health insurance policies cover the treatment of varicose veins, especially if the veins cause discomfort.

Tips & Warnings

• Forty-one percent of women aged 40 to 50 suffer with varicose veins, and 72 percent of women aged 60 to 70.

• Twenty-four percent of men aged 30 to 40 have varicose veins.

• To learn more about the latest treatments available for varicose veins, or to locate a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, call the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery at [phone].

• Avoid wearing elastic bandages, like ace wraps, for home treatment of varicose veins. It's too easy to wrap these types of bandages too tightly, especially around the calf, which produces a tourniquet effect.

• The complications associated with leg vein stripping include heavy bleeding and wound infection - especially after a prolonged surgery, if the patient is obese, or if the leg is contaminated with an ulcer.

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.