FAQ

Q: What are varicose veins?
A: Varicose veins usually announce themselves as bulging, bluish cords running just beneath the surface of your skin. They can appear anywhere in the body but most often affect legs and feet. Visible swollen and twisted veins -- sometimes surrounded by patches of flooded capillaries known as spider-burst veins -- are considered superficial varicose veins. They can be painful and disfiguring. When inflamed, they become tender to the touch and can hinder circulation to the point of causing swollen ankles, itchy skin and aching in the affected limb.

In addition to a surface network of veins, your legs have an interior, or deep, venous network. On rare occasions, a deep leg vein becomes diseased. Such deep varicose veins are usually not visible, but they can cause swelling and/or aching throughout the leg. Deep varicose veins may be sites where blood clots can form and ultimately ulcers on the skin may develop as well. Varicose veins are a relatively common condition, and for many people they are a family trait. Women are at least twice as likely as men to develop them. In the United States alone, nearly 10 percent of all adult men and 20 percent of adult women are affected by them to some degree, bringing the total affected to more than 20 million people. Treatment options include endovenous laser therapy, sclereotherapy injection therapy, phlebectomy, stripping and ligation.

Symptoms may include:

• Prominent (bulging) dark blue blood vessels, especially in the legs and feet.
• Aching, tender, heavy or sore legs; often accompanied by swelling in the ankles or feet after standing for any length of time.
• Discoloration of the lower legs and/or feet.
• Ulcers (open sores) on the lower legs.

Q: What is the best treatment for varicose veins?
A: A variety of treatments can be used and include endovenous laser therapy, sclerotherapy injection therapy, phlebectomy, stripping and ligation. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended, and thoroughly explained, by one of our board certified surgeons during your initial consultation.

Q: What are spider veins?
A: Tiny red or purple veins that are visible on the skin’s surface are spider veins. They may also be known as broken capillaries or telangiectasia. They form mostly on the legs, but also can be found on the face and other areas of the body.

Sometimes spider veins actually resemble the shape of a spider. Other times they look more like a tiny branching bush or a stack of thin, separate lines. Spider veins are small clumps of unessential blood vessels that are located near the surface of the skin and have expanded, becoming visible. A number of factors may help trigger their appearance, including genetic makeup, pregnancy, excess sun exposure, weight gain, certain medications, and birth control pills, as well as trauma to the skin, like a hard pinch.

Q: What is the best treatment for small spider veins?
A: Procedures for eliminating or diminishing the appearance of spider include injection sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or a combination of both injections and laser. The physician will explain which treatment will provide the best option for your individual needs and desired results.

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Q: What kind of results can I expect?
A: Many patients experience at least 80% elimination of the treated vessels. While you will see immediate results, improvements continue gradually over a two to four week period following treatment. During your initial consultation you will be advised as to the number of treatments necessary to achieve the results you want. At GulfCoast Vein and Laser Center all sclerotherapy and laser therapy treatments are performed by the physician.

Q: What about side effects and recovery time?
A: Treatments provided by our physicians have minimal side effects but may include pain and/or swelling at the treatment site. You will be required to wear compression hose after your treatment. Recovery time is minimal and you are encouraged to walk and resume normal activity right away

Q: Can you treat unsightly veins on my face?
A: Yes, laser therapy is an effective treatment for facial veins and may be the appropriate treatment method to reduce their appearance. Our physicians have had specialized training to treat facial veins with laser therapy.

Q: Who are candidates for treatment?
A: Laser therapy can be an effective treatment for both light and dark skinned individuals. Patients that may not be good candidates include those on blood thinners, those with serious illness, those with dark suntans, photosensitivity disorders, diabetes, bleeding disorder, or those taking photosensitizing medications. All of this will be discussed, in detail, during your initial consultation with Dr. Butterick or Dr. Hall. The physician will be able to determine if laser therapy is your best treatment option.

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