Jerald S. Gach, D.O.
Varicose and Spider Veins
Non-Surgical Treatment
For Both Men and Women
No Missed Work
Prolotherapy
Pain Management
Effective for Osteoarthritis
Back, Knee and Shoulder Pain
Natural Healing
Alternative Medicine Treatment
Permanently Rebuilds Stronger Joints by Stimulating New Ligaments, Tendons and Soft Tissues
Howell, Michigan 48843
820 Byron Rd. - Suite 500
Hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Southfield, Michigan 48076
21721 West 11 Mile Rd.
Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spider veins?
What causes these blood vessels to become visible?
Can spider veins be prevented?
How are unwanted blood vessels on the legs treated?
How successful is sclerotherapy?
Will insurance cover the treatment of unwanted blood vessels?
Are there side effects to sclerotherapy?
Will treated veins recur?
What do I do after treatments?
Spider veins are small, superficial blood vessels that appear red or blue in the skin. They commonly occur on the legs, but are also found on the face or other areas of the body.
Larger dilated blood vessels called varicose veins may be raised above the skin surface. They may occur with spider veins.
Patients can have pain that ranges from dull and throbbing to a burning sensation. The larger vessels are more likely to cause discomfort, although smaller blue veins have been shown to cause pain as well.
If spider veins are bothersome, they can be treated with laser or by injection of a special solution that can destroy them. They can disappear or become much smaller. There is about an 80 - 90 percent chance for a greatly improved appearance.
What causes these blood vessels to become visible?
The cause of spider veins seems to be inherited. Spider veins appear in both men and women, but more frequently in women. They may also appear after an injury though mainly occur from genetic susceptibility.
Can spider veins be prevented?
Spider veins cannot always be prevented. Wearing support hose may minimize unwanted blood vessels from developing.
How are unwanted blood vessels on the legs treated?
The injection method is a procedure called sclerotherapy. One of several kinds of solutions called sclerosing solution is injected directly into the blood vessel with a very fine needle. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel causing it to swell, stick together, and the blood to clot. Over a period of weeks, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades, eventually becoming barely noticeable.
A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks or months apart, depending on its size. A number of vessels can be injected in any one-treatment session.
How successful is sclerotherapy?
After several treatments, most patients can expect an 80 - 90 percent improvement. Fading will gradually occur over months. Disappearance of treated spider veins is usually achieved, but similar veins may appear in the same general area.
Will insurance cover the treatment of unwanted blood vessels?
Insurance rarely covers treatment of spider veins but may sometimes cover larger vein treatment.
Are there side effects to sclerotherapy?
There are some possible side effects. They include:
- Brown lines or spots on the skin at the sites of treated blood vessels. Darkened areas may result when blood escapes from treated veins. These dark areas occur more often in patients who have larger veins treated or those patients that tan easily. In most cases, they disappear within a year, but they may last longer.
- Development of groups of fine red blood vessels near the sites of injection of larger vessels. It looks like a deep blush. About one-third of patients develop groups of vessels especially on the thighs. Most disappear by themselves, some need additional injection treatments or laser therapy while a few may last.
- Inflammation of treated blood vessels. This is very unusual but when it occurs, it is treated with medications such as aspirin as well as other treatments such as compression, antibiotics or heat.
Large veins may recur even after surgical procedures. Spider veins may also recur. It may seem that a previously injected vessel has recurred when, in fact, a new spider vein has appeared in the same area.
What do I do after treatments?
Some physicians bandage the injected areas and instruct patients to "compress" the treated vessels by wearing support hose. This may help seal the treated vessels, keep the blood from collecting under the skin, and reduce the development of dark spots. It also may reduce the number of treatments necessary, and the possibility of recurrence. Others put tape dressings on the areas and do not use compression unless the veins are large or in special locations. Between treatments, we recommend the use of compression or support hose for 3-7 days.
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