DERMATOLOGY > VASCULAR LESIONS
What are varicules and varicose veins?
Varicules or spider veins look like little bluish or reddish threads and they are small vessels which get darker and more visible when they dilate. They are insufficient from a vascular point of view, they are asymptomatic and they only affect the patient aesthetically. They not only appear with age, but their appearance is also related to hereditary and hormonal factors.
Treatment for varicules and varicose veins
Thanks to the introduction of laser technology, light is selectively absorbed by the blood vessels on the vascular lesion, causing an intense but gentle impact of the laser light on the skin. During the natural healing process, the body re-absorbs the blood vessels that where damaged by the laser. This laser has the ability to impact selectively on the blood vessels of the vascular lesion without affecting the surrounding tissue and structures. The devices used are the N-Yang 532 vascular laser and the 1064 Light C.
Tips for treating varicules and varicose veins
- To avoid the reoccurrence of varicules, lifestyle habits should be improved; avoid constipation and obesity, wear elastic compression socks, wear comfortable and flat footwear, rest with the legs up, stay away from heat sources, and take cold showers and massages.
- Varicose veins are caused by the dilatation of small blood vessels near the surface of the skin. They can appear on any part of the body, but they are more common on the face and legs. The spiders look reddish or purple. They do not represent a danger to health, but they disfigure.
- The incidence of spider veins increases with age. Men also seem to have a hereditary base. Among women, pregnancy and hormonal changes might contribute to the development of dilated veins.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are more common on the legs, although they can be found in other parts of the body. Regularly, they look like lumps just under the surface of the skin. There are three types of veins: superficial veins, located just under the surface of the skin; deeper veins, which are the big blood vessels inside the muscles; and perforator veins which connect the superficial veins to deep veins. The superficial veins are the blood vessels more commonly affected by varicose veins.
Varicose veins are common among the elderly. Veins twist and swell when the blood goes back to the heart and flows to the veins through a faulty valve. Pain associated to varicose veins can be relieved. To do so, we need to avoid standing up for long periods, keep your feet up while sitting or lying down, and use compression socks or elastic bandages.
Although varicose veins are rarely dangerous, they can be a threat to health if complications such as the following occur: ulcers of venous stasis, inflammation of veins known as phlebitis, or blood clots which can become a source of infection.
The incidence of the increase in number of varicose veins with age seems to have a hereditary base. Among women, pregnancy and hormonal changes might contribute in the development of dilated veins.
Treatment for varicose veins
- Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected in the veins to cause their collapse and form a permanent scar tissue. Sclerotherapy requires several treatments to close all the affected veins. Additional treatments could be necessary when new enlarged veins appear. The side effects of sclerotherapy might include slight swelling, hematomas, redness, and stinging on the injection points.
- IPL – Intense Pulsed Light therapy: laser pulses which destroy the selected areas of the enlarged veins.
- Surgical ligature, stripping: procedure generally reserved for larger varicose veins. It is often carried out by a vascular surgeon in a hospital. The varicose vein is tied (ligature) or completely removed.
Diagnosis and treatment of varicules and varicose veins in Valencia
• Dr. Gabriel Serrano Sanmiguel