Treatment and therapy for spider veins, officially referred to as Telangiectasias, includes many of the same procedures as treatment of varicose veins. Although the two problems seem similar, spider veins are smaller than the veins affected by varicose veins. Spider veins are much more likely to affect areas around the face and neck, although they can appear anywhere. The spider web like appearance can be accompanied with a small level of discomfort, but they generally do not continue to get worse over time like varicose veins. There are a variety of treatments available, including home therapy and surgeries, but all cases do not need to be treated.

Home Based Therapy

Elevation of the affected area will generally provide short term relief for any soreness or discomfort caused by spider veins. In addition, wearing supportive stockings for affected areas on the legs will temporarily reduce swelling, especially in combination with regular doses of over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines. The consumption of a high fiber diet combined with exercise has been shown in some cases to reduce the appearance of spider veins, although most cases will require additional methods of treatment.

Intensive Non-Surgical Treatment

The most common treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, which is a small injection of a solution into the affected veins. The injected medicine shrinks and closes the veins thereby reducing any swelling or visual appearance. Sclerotherapy is considered to have a 50-90% success rate and can be performed in a doctor’s office without anesthesia.

Endovenous radio frequency ablation is a medical procedure where the doctor uses a small catheter to pass electricity over the affected veins. It is more successful than sclerotherapy, but more complicated. It generally has an 85-90% success rate for spider vein treatment. About 10% of patients will suffer mild to moderate side effects which may include bruising and swelling for a short period of time.

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has a higher rate of success than radio frequency at 95-100%. It uses laser treatment instead of electricity. It is considered to be more comfortable for patients and generally has fewer side effects.

Surgical Treatment

Generally spider veins are not severe enough to require surgical treatment. For sufferers, surgery should be the last option. Although surgery can be a successful treatment when combined with longer term therapy, the procedures (saphenous stripping and CHIVA) are fairly invasive and can leave significant scarring. Since spider veins are common on the face and neck, the procedures can be more complicated and the scarring can be more noticeable.

The reasons that patients get spider veins are seemingly unknown. It is possible that they are caused by some level or heredity combined with long term damage to the legs.