Spider Veins Treatment in India

What to Expect After Spider Veins Treatment?

After treatment, the treated area is covered by compressive tape or stocking. Initially, the patient can expect to feel pain and discomfort in the legs. The treated area will look bruised for some days, and there will also be swelling and redness.

Some patients can also expect hyperpigmentation or brownish discoloration in the skin around the treated area. These side effects of the treatment are mostly temporary and resolve within a few weeks.

As spider veins treatment is generally done on an outpatient basis, the patient is sent home after a few hours of observation. The doctor gives detailed post-op care instructions to ensure that the patient doesn’t experience post-surgery complications. 

Why Is Spider Veins Treatment Necessary?

Usually, spider veins are not dangerous or cause health problems. For most patients, it simply means that the small blood vessels are damaged. They are treated when the veins cause cosmetic concerns. However, in some patients, the development of spider veins is considered an early sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It is a serious vein disease that can affect the patient’s quality of life and lead to several complications.

Treatment for spider veins is considered necessary for an individual in the following scenarios:

• Cosmetic Concerns: The veins are unsightly and clearly visible, causing self-consciousness. 
• Problematic Symptoms: If symptoms like discomfort, itching, burning sensations, swelling, heaviness, aching, fatigue, etc., are present. 
• Underlying Disease: Spider veins indicate that there may be underlying venous insufficiency which can lead to complications such as leg ulcers, blood clots, varicose veins, etc.

The treatment of spider veins helps to improve blood circulation, provide relief from the symptoms, and address the self-image issues of the patients. It should be noted that the necessity of treatment varies based on individual circumstances, such as severity, symptoms, and personal preferences. 

Advantages of Spider Veins Treatment

Spider vein treatment offers several advantages for individuals. Some of them are given below: 

• Improved Appearance: Spider vein treatment helps to diminish or eliminate these visible veins, leading to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Boosted Self-Confidence: By reducing the appearance of spider veins, treatment can significantly improve self-confidence and body image. Many individuals with spider veins feel more comfortable and confident after undergoing treatment, which can positively impact their overall quality of life.
• Reduced Discomfort: Spider veins can sometimes cause discomfort, including itching, burning, or aching sensations. Treatment helps alleviate these symptoms, providing relief and improving comfort levels. 
• Minimally Invasive Procedures: Techniques such as sclerotherapy and laser therapy involve minimal discomfort, require no general anesthesia, and have a short recovery time. This allows individuals to resume their regular activities shortly after the procedure.
• Long-lasting Results: By targeting the affected blood vessels, the treated veins are typically eliminated or significantly reduced, leading to long-term improvement in the appearance and symptoms associated with spider veins.

Recovery After Treatment for Spider Veins

The recovery duration after spider veins treatment will be around 3 to 6 weeks. Patients can resume work and other activities after one week but need to take several precautions for 3 to 6 weeks. The treated site will appear bruised for some time, and there might be some cramping in the legs for the first two days. Swelling, redness, and other side effects of the treatment will resolve within a week or so. In one month, the patient will feel more comfortable, and spider veins will appear distinctly lighter.

Throughout the recovery period, the patient should follow the tips below to heal properly and prevent post-op complications.

• Wear compression stockings or bandages to promote healing and reduce swelling. The garment will apply gentle pressure to the treated area aiding in the absorption of accumulated blood in the closed-off veins. 
• Take it easy to resume walking, standing, sitting, and other activities. Light activities are encouraged after 1-2 days of the procedure to improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots. 
• Avoid strenuous activities, including exercising, lifting weights, etc., as they can cause pain and put undue pressure on the treated areas. 
• Take the prescribed pain medications, antibiotics, and other medicines as directed by the doctor. 
• Avoid sun exposure until the recovery is complete. Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and darkening of the skin, thereby making the scarring worse. 
• Avoid hot baths, saunas, and swimming for at least two weeks after the procedure, as it can increase the risk of infection.

Throughout the recovery, it’s important to take regular follow-ups with the doctor to ensure that the treated site is healing properly and detect signs of post-op complications, if any. 

Spider Veins Treatment Cost in India

The cost of spider veins treatment in India varies from Rs. X to Rs. X. This is only an estimated cost range that varies for each patient depending on the following factors:

• The severity of the condition 
• Method chosen for treatment 
• Sessions required for desired results 
• Doctor’s fee 
• Hospital or clinic-related fee 

If spider veins present as a health problem, the expense of the treatment is covered by health insurance. However, if the patient is getting treatment for purely cosmetic reasons, the insurance company will not cover the expense.

How to Prevent Spider Veins After Treatment?

The key to preventing spider veins from developing is focusing on the factors that cause them. The causes include age-related function loss, genetic predisposition, hormonal fluctuations, prolonged sitting/standing, being overweight, alcohol consumption, tight clothing, etc. Some of these causes or risk factors can be controlled or managed to reduce the risk of developing spider veins again after the treatment. 

Here are some general tips that can help the individual to improve nerve health and prevent spider veins recurrence:

• Do not sit or stand too long at once. Take breaks after every 30 minutes and move around to improve blood circulation. 
• Avoid wearing tight clothes that can constrict the legs and affect the blood flow. 
• Try out the exercises that strengthen the veins and improve blood circulation throughout the body, thereby reducing the chances of spider veins on the legs and other body parts. 
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet composed of vitamins and minerals that are essential to keep the nerve health optimal, such as vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), etc.
• Maintain the ideal weight and BMI, as obesity can put excessive pressure on the veins in the leg to pump blood back to the heart. 
• Wear compression stockings as recommended by the doctor to support the blood flow in the veins. 
• Elevate the legs to the heart level during the day or while sleeping or sitting to make it easier for the veins to pump blood to the heart.