How Can Colorado Springs Dermatologists Help Me With My Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins aren't pretty to look at. That's a basic fact of life. Varicose veins can also cause pain, swelling, itchiness and cramps. In some cases, they can also cause scarring and a reduced ability for your legs to heal from simple wounds. Varicose veins are treatable, however, and Colorado Springs dermatologists offer relief and treatment for those suffering from this unsightly skin condition.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins occur when the valves occurring in the veins in our legs become defective. Small leaflet valves in our leg veins are there to keep the blood flowing toward the heart and not away. When the valve becomes defective the blood flows back into the vein and causes the veins to become enlarged and discolored. Affected veins are the reticular (larger) and telangiectasias (smaller or spider) veins.

What causes varicose veins?

Sadly, the main cause seems to be heredity. If your parents had them, you are more likely to get them as well. Other factors that cause varicose veins include obesity, menopause, pregnancy and simple aging. Also, long periods of standing, abdominal straining, or leg injury can be contributing factors.

What treatments are available for my varicose veins?

Dermatologists have a number of treatments available to reduce or remove varicose veins, from the simple to the complex.

Easy cures for early stage varicose veins include elevating the feet, which can temporarily relieve some of the symptoms and the use of elastic compression stockings which reduce swelling and increase circulation. These cures usually only provide temporary relief of symptoms.

For more permanent treatment of varicose veins, there are other treatments both surgical and non-surgical.

There are a few surgical options. One such option is stripping, which is the actual removal of the infected veins. Since the veins which typically turn varicose carry less than ten percent of the blood to the heart, this removal doesn't adversely affect the vascular system. Other surgical options are CHIVA, vein ligation and cryosurgery.

Non-surgical options for the treatment of varicose veins include sclerotherapy, which involves injecting medicine in the veins to reduce their size or endovenous laser treatment which is the use of lasers to reduce the size of the veins.

These and other treatments are available by using your network of Colorado Springs Dermatologists. Dermatologists in the Colorado Springs area are available for all dermatological needs, including the treatment of varicose veins.