4, 3, 2024

Spider vein transformations of our patients

2024-02-17T15:28:37-08:00

Spider veins, those delicate reddish veins adorning the skin’s surface, may hold more significance than mere cosmetic appearance. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the essence of spider veins, exploring their symptoms, delving into their underlying causes, and emphasizing the importance of effective treatment.

Learning More About These Veins

Spider veins, often referred to as thread-like veins, are fine, reddish vessels visible just beneath the skin. While commonly associated with cosmetic issues, they could also hint at underlying problems deserving attention. Despite their visibility, these veins do not necessarily indicate robust circulation.

Revealing Underlying Issues of Spider Veins 

Feeder veins, also known as ‘reticular veins’ or ‘blue veins,’ lie beneath the skin’s surface, contributing to the emergence of these veins. These feeder veins, invisible to the naked eye, serve as pathways. Additionally, they may hint at venous insufficiency. For instance, the appearance around inner ankles or thighs might signal issues with the saphenous vein, necessitating ultrasound examination for effective root cause treatment. At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we use the Venous Duplex Ultrasound for diagnostics and treatment. 

Spotting Symptoms 

Spider veins can affect individuals differently, with some experiencing painless aesthetic concerns while others endure discomfort. Commonly reported symptoms include burning sensations, throbbing, localized pain, heat, and itchiness. In severe cases, spider veins might even lead to bleeding.

Spider Vein Causes

The veins in the legs share causes with varicose veins, arising from leaky vein valves that allow blood accumulation, leading to vein stretching. Elsewhere on the body, triggers such as sun damage, hormonal fluctuations, or liver disease can induce spider veins. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, birth control use, or hormone replacement therapy can weaken vein walls, contributing to their appearance.

Real Transformations: Patient Success Stories: We used a variety of different minimally invasive vein treatments for these patients. For more information on what types of treatments we offer, check out our website tab of vein treatments. 

spider vein spider vein spider vein 9 BA SV spider 18after fotor

The vein treatment journeys of our patients showcase visible transformations. Before-and-after images reflect the positive impact of effective treatment on individuals suffering from spider veins. Progress from discomfort and aesthetic concerns toward improved quality of life underscores the significance of seeking proper care.

While spider veins may seem minor, they could serve as windows into underlying vascular issues. Understanding their causes, symptoms, and potential implications empowers individuals to seek suitable vein health solutions. Whether acknowledging the importance of feeder veins, recognizing signs of venous insufficiency, or understanding spider vein triggers, education plays a pivotal role. Addressing spider veins early sets individuals on a path toward healthier, more comfortable lives.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Amanda Steinberger, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts! 

Spider vein transformations of our patients2024-02-17T15:28:37-08:00

29, 12, 2023

Spider veins: unmasking causes, solutions, and self confidence

2023-10-11T18:26:27-07:00

Spider veins: unmasking causes, solutions, and self confidence

spider veins

Spider veins, those delicate veins with their intricate web-like patterns on the skin’s surface, are often viewed as primarily a cosmetic concern by many. However, beneath their aesthetic appearance, these tiny veins can hold valuable clues about your overall vein health. In this article, we embark on a journey into the world of spider veins, exploring their origins, symptoms, and the most effective treatment options available. Let’s unravel the truth about these small veins and discover how to manage them effectively.

Unraveling the Mystery of Spider Veins

Scientifically known as telangiectasias, spider veins appear as fine, thread-like veins that create delicate patterns just below the skin’s surface. They come in various colors, including red, blue, and purple. While they might seem like a minor issue, spider veins can reveal more about your vein health than you might think.

The Connection to Feeder Veins and Venous Insufficiency

Although spider veins themselves are not typically considered a major health concern, they can be associated with less visible feeder veins or reticular veins. These feeder veins are often linked to larger veins and may provide clues about venous insufficiency, a condition where veins struggle to efficiently return blood to the heart. For example, if spider veins appear in specific areas like the inner ankles or inner thighs, it could indicate an underlying issue with the saphenous vein. Medical professionals may recommend ultrasound examinations to precisely locate and effectively address the source of these veins.

Recognizing Common Symptoms

Spider veins can manifest differently among individuals. While some might consider them solely a cosmetic issue without any physical discomfort, others may experience symptoms like a burning sensation, throbbing, localized pain, itchiness, and, in more severe cases, even bleeding. Paying attention to these symptoms is essential for determining the appropriate steps to manage and treat spider veins.

Unmasking the Underlying Causes

spider veins

On the legs, spider veins often share a common cause with varicose veins: malfunctioning vein valves. When these valves fail to prevent blood from pooling within the veins, it results in their enlargement and elongation. On the other hand, spider veins in other areas, such as the face and chest, can be caused by factors like sun damage, hormonal fluctuations, or liver disease. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, the use of birth control, or hormone replacement therapy can weaken vein walls, making them more prone to the emergence of spider veins.

Identifying Those at Risk

Several factors can increase an individual’s vulnerability to developing spider veins. These risk factors include genetics, pregnancy, female gender, advancing age, obesity, hormonal imbalances, and extended periods of sitting or standing. Recognizing these risk factors can be valuable for both prevention and early intervention.

Effective Treatment Options

For those seeking relief, various treatment options are available. The most common method for addressing spider veins on the legs is sclerotherapy. During this procedure, a special liquid sclerosant medication is injected into the affected veins, causing them to close, scar, and gradually fade away. Typically, multiple sessions are recommended for optimal results. While lasers can also be used to target fine spider veins, sclerotherapy remains the preferred choice due to its effectiveness.

While spider veins may appear as a minor concern, they can offer insights into your vein health. Whether you’re concerned about their appearance or you’re experiencing discomfort, it’s crucial to understand their potential underlying causes and seek appropriate treatment. By addressing spider veins with early intervention and effective treatments like sclerotherapy, you can not only enhance their appearance but also promote better overall vein health. Remember, caring for your veins is an investment in your well-being, one that pays off in both comfort and confidence.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Amanda Steinberger, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts! 

Spider veins: unmasking causes, solutions, and self confidence2023-10-11T18:26:27-07:00

17, 8, 2022

Varicose Veins vs Spider Veins

2022-12-13T14:17:35-08:00

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? 

At La Jolla Vein and Vascular, we treat numerous patients with varicose veins and spider veins. Knowing the difference is important. 

Varicose veins are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body. Varicose veins are a common condition.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by leaky vein valves, which allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. Varicose veins can be an isolated finding, but the majority of the time, they are caused by underlying venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

In our study, led by Dr. Nisha Bunke and published in the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound in 2018, we studied over 1,000 legs with varicose veins. Over 90% of the time, the source of the varicose veins were the great and small saphenous veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein (SSV), which courses along the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface.

Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins can form around the vagina and buttocks.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are the fine, thread-like reddish veins at the surface of the skin. Spider veins are not healthy. Spider veins are often considered a cosmetic issue, but they can be associated with underlying feeder veins, not visible to the naked eye.  Feeder veins are the ‘blue veins’ also known as ‘reticular veins,’ that give rise to spider veins. Spider veins may also be a sign of underlying venous insufficiency. For example, spider veins located in the inner ankles and inner thighs can indicate an underlying problem with the saphenous vein. As a result, an ultrasound examination may be recommended to identify and effectively treat the underlying source of the spider veins.

What are the symptoms?

Vein conditions affect people differently. For some, spider veins can be a painless cosmetic concern, and for others they may cause symptoms. The most common symptoms of spider veins are burning, throbbing, and localized pain. They can also feel hot and itchy and bleed.

What causes spider veins?

Spider veins in the legs are caused by the same condition that causes varicose veins. Leaky vein valves allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. They are on other areas of the body, such as the face, and chest can be caused by sun damage, hormone changes or liver disease. Hormones, such as with pregnancy, birth control or hormone replacement therapy can weaken the vein wall.

They are like varicose veins but smaller. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. This patient had large clusters of bluish colored spider veins around the knee. 

If you experience any vein disease symptoms, please call our office at (858)-550-0330 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular.

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel or visit our helpful guide of resources.

 

Varicose Veins vs Spider Veins2022-12-13T14:17:35-08:00

23, 5, 2020

How to Treat Leg Spider Veins

2020-09-18T19:01:10-07:00

Spider veins and reticular veins of the legs are most commonly treated with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a medication into the vein.  This will cause the vein to collapse and gradually fade away. Sclerotherapy has been used to treat spider veins for decades, but modern solutions such as Asclera, allow for spider veins to be treated with minimal discomfort and immediate return to activities. Saline solutions are rarely used these days by vein specialists, because alternatives solutions are less painful and better tolerated. Sclerotherapy is the preferred  over laser in most cases of spider veins on the legs, because spider veins often have underlying ‘feeder veins’ that can easily be treated with sclerotherapy, but are not addressed by laser. Laser may be used for the fine thread like veins, most common on the face. Many people will require more than one treatment session for optimal results. The national average is 2 to 5 treatment sessions. Wearing compression stockings after treatment will improve results.

 

How to Treat Leg Spider Veins2020-09-18T19:01:10-07:00

6, 5, 2016

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?

2020-12-19T01:54:10-08:00

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?

 

photo of spider veins on back of thighs

spider veins on back of thighs

 

There is a common misconception of what varicose and spider veins really are. It may be embarrassing for some to admit that they have varicose veins or they simply just think that they have spider veins. Although spider veins can be fed from varicose veins, they are simply not the same. Let’s start with spider veins… What are they? Spider veins are typically purple web-like veins that appear either scattered all over the leg or in clusters. Although they can be symptomatic, they are usually painless and are considered cosmetic. They lie almost, if not, flat on the skin and are often described as “unsightly.” Varicose veins on the other hand are bulgy. People describe them as snake or rope like or even like a little brain. Varicose veins protrude from the skin and are not considered a cosmetic condition, but rather a medical condition. They can also be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. To properly diagnose patients with either spider veins or varicose veins, a thorough consultation should be done to examine the patient’s legs and areas of concern. Sometimes, certain patterns of spider veins indicate that there may be an underlying vein condition. An ultrasound examination can be done to properly diagnose varicose veins and underlying vein conditions.

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?2020-12-19T01:54:10-08:00

21, 7, 2014

Varicose Veins vs. Spider Veins

2021-11-05T13:08:51-07:00

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?  Are they the same thing? Spider veins and varicose veins both refer to dysfunctional, dilated leg veins but the main difference is the size of the veins. Spider veins are small, thread-like veins at the surface of the skin. They often appear in clusters or can have a ‘starburst’ or spider-like pattern. Varicose veins are larger veins that appear swollen, twisted cordlike veins that ‘bulge’ at the surface.

Both spider veins and varicose veins can cause pain and other symptoms like burning, aching, and throbbing. Both can be treated without surgery.

Slide 4_2

This image describes the difference between spider veins and varicose veins. Both are manifestations of unhealthy veins. Spider veins are essential, tiny varicose veins.

Varicose Veins vs. Spider Veins2021-11-05T13:08:51-07:00

5, 6, 2014

Why Didn’t My Spider Veins Go Away?

2021-11-04T19:29:17-07:00
1

Before and After spider vein treatment at La Jolla Vein Care. This picture demonstrates that spider veins (reddish spider-like vessels) can stem from underlying feeder vessels (the blue vein). The feeder vein can be compared to the ‘root’ of a weed; If you clip the surface branches of a weed without pulling the root of the problem, the weed will never go away.

DSCF3580_fotor

Veins in certain locations, like in the inner knee or inner thighs and inner ankles, often arise from underlying venous incompetence of a vein called the great saphenous vein that runs from the groin along the inner thigh to the ankle. If spider veins do not respond to treatment, it is important to have an ultrasound evaluation to determine if there is an underlying source of the problem.  Once the underlying problem is properly identified, it can be treated.

Spider veins can be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and represent a bigger problem, that is not visible to the naked eye. For example, as seen in the first image, spider veins can arise from blue ‘feeder’ veins, which must be treated for best results.

Spider veins can also stem from an underlying problem such as venous reflux in larger veins, such as the great saphenous vein. As demonstrated in the second picture, spider veins in the inner knee, inner ankle and inner thighs can originate from this vein. This can only be determined by ultrasound examination. It is important to have your vein evaluated by a trained specialist. Effective treatment depends on an accurate and thorough diagnosis.

Why Didn’t My Spider Veins Go Away?2021-11-04T19:29:17-07:00

28, 1, 2014

Dr. Fronek teaches primary care doctors to care for patients with vein problems

2022-01-04T05:17:54-08:00

Dr. Fronek was recently invited to discuss vein disorders with the Family Medicine Residency Program at Scripps Chula Vista.  The doctors-in-training were excited to learn about the variety of problems that patients have with their veins – including spider veins,  varicose veins,  blood clots, and leg ulcers.  Primary care doctors see patients with vein disorders every day, and yet very few medical schools or residency training programs include any information about these common problems.  Dr. Fronek and Dr. Bunke-Pacquette are committed to sharing their expertise with colleagues and are frequently asked to speak at medical meetings.  Primary care doctors, in particular, can often start patients with vein disorders on conservative treatment, including graduated compression stockings and regular exercise (walking is usually the best exercise for vein disorders), as well as certain supplements such as horse chestnut seed extract, that can alleviate the symptoms that many patients with vein disease suffer from.  Informed primary care doctors can also refer patients to a vein specialist when symptoms aren’t diminished with conservative treatment, if the varicose veins worsen while a patient is using compression and exercise, or if the patient suffers from a venous leg ulcer.

Dr. Fronek teaches primary care doctors to care for patients with vein problems2022-01-04T05:17:54-08:00

15, 4, 2011

Dr. Bunke Featured in San Diego Woman Magazine

2021-11-03T22:15:57-07:00
Dr. Nisha Bunke featured in San diego Womans Magazine

Dr. Bunke In San Diego Woman Magazine

Dr. Bunke and her associate, Dr. Sardo were featured in the April issue of San Diego Woman Magazine.  The articles highlight their careers and their specialty practices in medicine. Dr. Bunke describes the evolution of varicose vein treatments from surgery to minimally invasive procedures.  She expresses that most varicose veins can be treated without surgery or anaesthesia. This is a huge advancement in the field of venous disease, considering only a decade ago vein stripping surgery was the gold standard for varicose vein treatment.

 

Dr. Sardo’s article describes her prominent career as a plastic surgeon, which has helped her help patients look better, feel better, and achieve greater health.

Dr. Sardo SD WomansMag April2011

Dr. Sardo

Dr. Bunke Featured in San Diego Woman Magazine2021-11-03T22:15:57-07:00

19, 8, 2010

Beyond Saline

2010-08-19T22:53:15-07:00

If you’re looking to remove spider veins or varicose veins, you may find that saline injections are infrequently used. Why? They’re unnecessary. Today, more effective solutions are available for treating damaged veins. In short, saline injections cause stinging upon injection.  The saline solution mixes with the blood in larger veins, never making contact with the vein wall.  As a result, saline injections are only effective for tiny spider veins.  If sclerotherapy failed to remove your larger veins in the past, this is probably why. The good news? More effective and painless solutions are now available. Ask a board certified vein specialist (Phlebologist) which type of solution you should you use—and see if you’re ready to move beyond saline.

Sincerely,

Executive Team

Beyond Saline2010-08-19T22:53:15-07:00
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© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

CONTACT INFORMATION

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

Privacy Policy

Hippa Privacy Practices
HIPAAOneTM Certified Seal 2

Use the search features below to find articles and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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