You may be concerned about the way your varicose veins look. But whether they are purple, swollen or lumpy, one thing is for certain: they could be affecting your circulation and causing your body harm. If you have been thinking about treatment, here are 5 mistakes to avoid when treating your veins.
Despite your veins making you feel self-conscious, the important thing is that you treat varicose veins correctly. Treatment may reduce or eradicate any future associated health issues, and likely reduce the number of treatments needed in future. Treating your veins is important, and not only for aesthetic reasons. In doing so, you can also reduce the chance of potentially suffering from long-term swelling, pigmentation, and aching.
Mistake 1: Passing Off Varicose Veins as Being “Common”
While it is true that many of us suffer from varicose veins, it doesn’t mean that you should tolerate or ignore yours. These veins can be the result of a present health issue or might cause a future health problem. If you have a varicose vein which is associated with swelling or an ache, see your doctor.
The solution:
Speak with a health care professional who specialises in vein problems, who will likely arrange for an ultrasound so that they can:
- See where the varicose vein originates; and
- Determine what further action you should take and advise on whether treatment will benefit you.
Mistake 2: Accepting Older Treatment Methods as the Best Form of Treatment
Varicose veins have been affecting men and women for centuries, and until recently the best with the best treatment was surgery. New methods like endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation, are generally considered safer and more effective options than surgery. These procedures rarely require time off work, have higher success rates than surgery for most patients, and are “walk-in walk-out”.
Mistake 3: Accepting Sclerotherapy as a Treatment for big Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy is a perfectly good treatment option for small varicose veins, but it’s likely not going to be effective for large ones. This is why sclerotherapy is often used as a side treatment to endovenous laser and radiofrequency treatments, as while it can’t seal up the large veins EVLA can, it works well for smaller, twisting branches that the EVLA fibre can’t manoeuvre through.
The solution:
Do your research and learn about the latest methods of treatment, whether they are appropriate for you, and what they involve. Only then will you be able to find the best varicose vein clinic for your specific circumstance.
Mistake 4: Waiting Too Long to Treat Your Veins
Varicose veins will not go away. If you have symptoms of throbbing, aching, swelling or a general feeling of heaviness, you should have your veins checked. Be sure to visit a doctor with expertise in the field, they can provide more relevant information. As with almost all problems in life, the sooner you tackle your varicose veins, the better.
Mistake 5: Over Treating Your Veins with Sclerotherapy
Varicose veins and spider veins can be over treated, in particular with too much sclerotherapy being performed. Over-treatment can result in new, small veins forming, soreness, or potentially a higher risk of complications developing. It’s a good idea to have some time off after treatment sessions, so your body can heal properly. At The Vein Institute, we don’t recommend more than 3 sclerotherapy sessions for each leg each year.
If you are in Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne, contact us at The Vein Institute. Our experienced doctors will determine the cause of the varicose vein and assess how it should be treated appropriately.
