You've got an unsightly vein on the back of your leg and you wonder what to do about it. You've heard that lasers can "erase" varicose veins but learn that your insurance may not cover it. So what are your options?
Varicose veins are a sign of damage to the veins, the vessels or pipes that gather the blood that's being returned to your heart. The damage is exacerbated by standing for long periods, by genetic factors, and, of course, by the increased load experienced with pregnancy.
Once there, varicose veins are unfortunately there for good—and they can become painful. On the bright side, though, there are some simple things you can do to help stop the damage from becoming worse or causing a feeling of heaviness in your legs.(Legs with varicosities can sometimes feel heavy, but this sensation doesn't reflect ongoing damage.)
- Wear compression stockings, preferably thigh-highs. These super-tight nylons will help keep the blood from pooling in the already swollen veins and will reduce swelling of the lower legs.
- Elevate the legs whenever possible.
- Massage the legs to alleviate pain.
On the other hand, if your varicose veins develop rapidly, I'd suggest you get evaluated by your doctor to find out if you need an ultrasound to look for a blood clot.
If, after you've tried the simple measures above, you're still not satisfied, much more aggressive treatments are available. A dermatologist can zap simple spider veins—small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin—with a laser (causing an instant of pain, along with some bruising) to dissipate the blemish.
For a fuller varicose vein, a vein specialist (usually a trained surgeon) can perform sclerotherapy, where a chemical irritant is injected into a swollen vein to sclerose (harden) it, causing the vein to then collapse and close. Still larger and more convoluted varicosities may have to be surgically removed in a process called vein stripping.
My advice is to talk to your doctor and seek a thorough evaluation of your veins by a specialist who has extensive experience in all the techniques described above. Be sure to discuss all your options to decide the best treatment for you.
