The veins in your legs function to take blood to your heart to be recirculated through your body. Sometimes, those leg veins swell and appear blue and twisted. The condition is called varicose veins and it has two main causes, age and pregnancy. In some cases, varicose veins are painful and require treatment. Some people with varicose veins seek treatment because they are unattractive. If you have or think you may have varicose veins, a Dermatologist at Fairfax County VA can evaluate your condition and suggest a treatment plan.
The most common cause of varicose veins is ageing. Veins contain tiny valves that close as blood flows through them to ensure that the blood doesn’t flow backward. Over time, veins lose their elasticity and the valves do not work as well as they did at keep the blood from flowing back into the veins. The result is swollen veins that appear blue. They are not always painful, however, some people with varicose veins experience achiness, burning, itching or heaviness in their legs. The discomfort is often worse if you sit or stand for extended periods of time.
Many pregnant women also develop varicose veins. During pregnancy, the volume of blood in a woman’s body increases while the growing fetus makes it harder for the blood to circulate from the legs. The problem is more often seen in the final trimester of pregnancy and usually resolves itself within a few months of delivery. A small portion of new mothers need treatment for varicose veins.
Your Dermatologist at Fairfax County VA has two options for treatment of varicose veins. Vascular laser therapy uses lasers to close unhealthy veins. The procedure takes about an hour with local anesthesia. Most patients walk immediately after laser treatment for their varicose veins. The other option is ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure uses very small incisions to remove varicose veins. The Dermatologist at Fairfax County VA uses local anesthesia and patients are able to walk before they are released to go home and can resume normal activity 24 hours after the procedure.
Laser treatments are available to help reduce or eliminate many forms of spider veins. Contact Tamjidi Skin Institute.
