THREAD VEINS

What are Thread Veins?
Thread veins, are very fine dilated veins situated just beneath the surface of the skin.
Mostly visible on the cheeks, nose and legs and have a red or purplish colour as they
show through the skin. They are also called broken veins, spider veins or flares.
Heredity, as with larger varicose veins, is an influencing factor as are hormonal surges
as at the onset of periods and during pregnancy. In some patients they are associated
with varicose veins but in other people they occur without any problems associated
with their deeper veins.

Treatment
It is essential that patients with dermal flares undergo a venous assessment to make
sure that there is no underlying condition causing them. Treating surface veins in the
presence of varicose veins, even though they are not visible, results in them not
disappearing or returning quickly giving an unsatisfactory result.

There are many different treatments that can be used successfully and do not require
an overnight hospital stay or general anaesthetic. One technique is sclerotherapy.
This procedure, which has been available since the 1930s, uses a highly concentrated
saline solution that is injected directly into the vein, causing the vein to disappear
gradually over 3 to 6 weeks. The procedure is simple, relatively inexpensive.
Compression is required after treatment. The majority of thread veins are suitable for
microsclerotherapy.

Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy which is a technique used for the removal of surface and spider
veins. The procedure is carried out by a specialist nurse. It involve injection with a
very fine needle. Depending on the size, a dilute solution of irritating solution called
sclerosat is injected. The sclerosing agent which has an irritant effect on the lining of
the veins causing the walls of the veins to stick together. Blood stops flowing through
the veins, which are then absorbed by the body's natural defence mechanisms over a
period of three months. The blood is then directed back to the deeper venous system.

Side Effect
Bruising can last anything from two weeks to three months depending on the size of
the blood vessels treated. Due to bruising following injections the treated areas can
look worse before they improve and it is necessary for be patient to obtain a good
result. Occasionally thicker bruises in larger veins, which can remain for several months,
may cause brown discolouration of the skin. This could take up to a year to fade. High
compression stockings are worn for up to three days to help reduce the amount of
bruising. It is usually advisable to leave a two week period between treatments on the
same area to allow bruising to settle. It is possible to drive immediately after a
treatment and a brisk walk of 20 minutes is beneficial. Normal exercise can be resumed
after 24 hours.

Prevention
Raise your legs at least twice a day for 30 minutes at a time with your feet above the
level of your heart. Exercise every day. Cycling, Walking, climbing stairs and swimming
are excellent ways to keep your calf muscles in motion.

When sitting for prolonged periods, move your legs frequently. Moving your ankles and
flexing calf muscles will help keep blood moving in your legs. Avoid sitting with your legs
crossed for extended periods. Wear compression stockings.