Varicose Veins Archives - Delaware Vein Center

When the scorching sun turns up the heat, the struggle of choosing an outfit to cover up your veiny legs reaches a whole new level of frustration. You yearn to flaunt shorts and skirts like your effortlessly stylish friends. But the fear of unveiling your varicose veins becomes a real poolside nightmare.

Having varicose veins probably means you have mixed feelings about summer. Because as the temperature rises, so does the anxiety of baring your legs. Luckily, there are plenty of stylish clothing options to make you feel more confident about creating a warm weather wardrobe that works around your varicose veins.

Maxi Dress

When you wear a maxi dress, the last thing anyone will be thinking about is your varicose veins. They’ll be too busy asking you where you got such a fun, sophisticated frock! Maxi dresses come in all kinds of lightweight fabrics. And the hemlines are low and flowy, helping you keep cool during the summer.

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Whether conquering the office, making waves at a pool party, or channeling beachy vibes over a swimsuit, the slightly dressy maxi look has got you covered – literally and figuratively! They come in a myriad of styles and patterns suitable for day or night. Try a printed cotton maxi paired with flip flops and a denim jacket for the perfect casual day look. Or a solid-colored maxi in a flowy fabric with heels for a night out on the town.

Leggings

If you’re not ready to rock shorts again, some light-colored leggings may be your best bet. They’re perfect for pairing under summer dresses. And they’re a reliable companion on days when you’re staying inside. Plus they can easily transform into the perfect gym attire, ensuring seamless style from lounging to lunging.

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Bad news for those of us who love a classic pair of fitted black leggings. This dark hue isn’t the most ideal for summertime wear. Black absorbs heat easily, which will only make your veins feel worse. And if your leggings are too tight, they may put unwanted pressure on your veins. So embrace thinner fabrics and playful pastel hues, shielding your veins from the scorching sun’s wrath.

Long Skirts

Floor-length skirts are a popular choice for a reason: they exude femininity, boast fashion-forward appeal, and effortlessly complement a variety of pieces within your existing wardrobe. Embrace a bohemian vibe by opting for a printed maxi, paired harmoniously with sandals. Or achieve a stylishly refined look with a solid-colored skirt alongside leather booties.

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When you step into the enchanting realm of floor-length skirts, a plethora of flowy and lightweight options awaits, ensuring your utmost comfort during scorching days. These versatile beauties pave the way for seamless mixing and matching, allowing you to curate an ensemble for any occasion or season.

Wide-legged Pants

If dresses and skirts don’t quite tickle your fashion fancy, fear not! Wide-legged pants can inject sophistication into any ensemble. They add a touch of class when paired with a t-shirt or casual blouse. And when the occasion demands some extra pizzazz, you can dress them up with a sparkly halter top and heels.

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Discover the wonders of wide-legged pants crafted from featherlight fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, or lyocell. These gems not only exude an air of sophistication. They also possess the ability to make you appear as polished as a pair of slacks or jeans, minus the burden of extra weight. And when the crisp breeze of fall rolls in, these versatile beauties can be artfully layered to keep you snug and stylish.

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits are the ideal summer essential for retro fashion enthusiasts. Discover the exquisite balance between maxi dresses and trousers, enabling unparalleled leg mobility infused with a touch of refined sophistication.

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Though jumpsuits keep your legs out of sight, you have the option to choose a torso that’s less covered up. Whether you go for short sleeves, spaghetti straps, a daring low back, or a playful cutout, rest assured, you’ll look amazing. Balancing modesty below the waist while exuding a cheeky and free-spirited vibe above, the world is your fashion playground!

Best Colors and Fabrics for Summer

Warmer temperatures cause your veins to widen, allowing more blood to flow to the surface of the skin. Unfortunately, this can be less than ideal for individuals suffering from varicose veins. To combat this, opt for lightweight fabrics that offer ample breathability, providing comfort from the heat without revealing your legs entirely.

When it comes to selecting your summer wardrobe, both color and fabric type hold significant importance. Dark colors and heavy fabrics such as denim, flannel, or wool are bound to leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable within mere minutes of stepping outside. Light colors like white, soft pinks, and blues help deflect the sun’s scorching rays. Additionally, light and breathable materials like cotton, silk, and jersey ensure optimal ventilation and freedom of movement.

Wear Your Favorite Shorts Again!

All of these leg-concealing fashions are great for covering your varicose veins in high temperatures. But nothing beats wearing shorts in the peak of summer. So if it’s your mission to feel confident about showing your legs again, it’s time to take action and finally get the treatment you need.

Talk to a vein specialist about your options for removing those unwanted varicose veins and soon! The quicker it’s done, the more time you have to recover and get back to enjoying those carefree summer days.

Filed under: Varicose VeinsTagged with: how to cover varicose veins, how to cover veins on legs, how to hide bulging varicose veins, how to hide varicose veins in the summer, wearing dresses with varicose veins

Have you noticed an area on your leg that’s dark with a lump? This is a common symptom of phlebitis, the inflammation of veins. It can cause blood clots called thrombophlebitis if left untreated.

Let’s go over what causes phlebitis so you can better understand how to treat it.

What Causes Phlebitis?

Phlebitis has many causes, but the most common are:

Local trauma or injury to the vein
Prolonged inactivity like long drives or plane rides
Insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals
IV induced after surgery, especially orthopedic procedures
Prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients
Varicose veins
Underlying cancers or clotting disorders
Removal of lymph nodes after mastectomies

Phlebitis can also occur in individuals whose blood tends to clot. This is often caused by circulatory issues.

How to Treat Phlebitis

A short-term condition of phlebitis will usually subside in 1-3 weeks. During this time, there are many methods you can use to treat phlebitis including simple at home treatments. Here are some things you can try:

Blood thinners to prevent clots from enlarging
Compression stockings
Warm or cold compresses
Elevating the legs for better blood flow
Over-the-counter drugs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Indocin
Anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and inflammation (prescribed by a doctor)

There are a number of preventive measures you can take to avoid phlebitis and thrombophlebitis. Staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can all help.

Can Phlebitis Turn into Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

If left untreated, phlebitis can increase the risk of blood clots in deeper veins. The development of a serious blood clot is known as deep vein thrombosis.

One of the primary risks of DVT is a clot breaking free of the blood vessel wall. The clot can then travel through the body into the lungs. It can lodge in a pulmonary artery and block blood flow back to the heart. This situation can be life-threatening.

When phlebitis causes deep vein thrombosis, hospitalization is often recommended. Combine this with anti-blood clot or blood thinner medications and close monitoring.

Filed under: Varicose Veins, Vein TreatmentTagged with: compression stockings, home remedies, inflammation, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, vein inflammation, veins

Do you have any concerns about your legs turning a reddish-brown color? This could be an indication that the veins in question are suffering from hemosiderin staining and potential problems with their health.

As we get older, it’s normal for our skin to thin, dry out, and lose elasticity. But it can be more concerning when you notice unusual changes in color and texture on your knees, legs, or ankles. If you notice a brown discoloration on the lower legs, it could point out a problem with your veins. For this reason alone, it’s important to understand why brown skin stains appear and what you can do to treat them.

What Is Hemosiderin Staining?

Hemosiderin staining occurs when red blood cells leak through the veins and iron or other byproducts are released. The brown stain shows up on the skin as a result of this symptom, which can happen for several reasons.

What Causes Hemosiderin Staining?

Chronic Vein Disease

In addition to its unsightly appearance, hemosiderin staining indicates an underlying health condition. The reddish-brown discoloration on the lower legs is caused by chronic venous disease–the abnormal function of veins.

When your veins can’t pump blood back up to the heart properly, it pools in your lower legs. Symptoms start with slight skin irritations and itchiness, then manifest varicose veins. Other vein disease symptoms that can lead to brown staining are:

High blood pressure – veins force blood through the veins and sometimes through the skin.
Vein ulcers – slow-healing or non-healing wounds.

As blood continues to pool in the veins, its cells break down and leak iron pigments into the skin. Over time, this shows up as brown patches or stains on the lower leg or ankle. When unaddressed, the stain will darken and eventually may turn black. At this point, these symptoms are unfortunately permanent even when vein disease is treated. BUT! If caught early enough, chronic venous disease can be controlled and hemosiderin staining will fade.

Sclerotherapy Staining Side-Effect

Sclerotherapy is one of the treatment options for vein disease and varicose veins. It involves the injection of a substance known as a sclerosant into the affected veins. This makes the veins reduce in size.

In some cases, this treatment may leave the patient with brown skin discoloration as a result of hemosiderin (iron) deposits. This discoloration is usually transient and disappears in a couple of weeks; however, in some people, the stain ends up being permanent.

If you are considering sclerotherapy treatment, consider the following factors that are associated with the hemosiderin staining side effect:

Dark skin type
Sensitive skin
Older patients with fragile veins
Taking certain medication
Experience of the vein doctor

Treating the Condition, NOT the Symptom

Most patients will go to a dermatologist or primary care physician for the skin condition, not the underlying vein disease of hemosiderin staining. As a result, they may not get an accurate diagnosis.

If you have brown skin discoloration on the knees, lower legs, or ankles, make an appointment with a vein specialist as this could be early signs of vein disease…especially if accompanied by achy, heavy, and swollen legs.

Early treatment of your vein disease may help lighten the brown stains caused by hemosiderin staining, and even keep them from getting darker. Once diagnosed, the goal is to reroute the blood to healthier veins and fade unwanted veins, stains, and pains. The sooner you treat your vein condition, the better you’ll feel and the fewer complications you’ll experience.

Filed under: Varicose Veins, Vein Health, Vein TreatmentTagged with: brown legs, hemosiderin staining, sclerotherapy, skin discoloration, varicose veins, vein health, vein treatment

Getting rid of spider veins or varicose veins can seem like a daunting task. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, compression stockings, or non-invasive procedures.

Before you even consider making a doctor’s appointment, you may have a lot of questions like:

What treatments are available?
Does insurance cover it?
And of course, how much is it going to cost?

Let’s dive into pricing and insurance for spider veins and varicose vein treatment.

Common Vein Removal Treatments and Their Cost

How much it will cost to finally say goodbye to painful, unwanted veins for good?

Now, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer because different procedures have different costs. Let’s break down the price tags associated with each.

Sclerotherapy

What is it? A common treatment for spider veins and small varicose veins. The vein is injected with a solution that breaks down the vein walls.
Does insurance cover it? No. It’s considered cosmetic.
How much does it cost? The average cost of a sclerotherapy treatment is about $350. The provider’s fee and geographic location will affect the cost.

Ablations

What is it? Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a procedure used to treat varicose veins and patients with venous insufficiency. A catheter is inserted into the vein and delivers a high-frequency current to collapse it.
Does insurance cover it? Vein ablations for varicose veins are covered by most insurance plans. You will need to check your plan’s coverage as you may be responsible for a portion depending on your plan.
How much does it cost? The average cost of a vein ablation is about $1500-$2000 per vein out of pocket.

What Can Affect the Cost of Vein Procedures?

Medical versus Cosmetic: If you have a medical diagnosis of vein disease, your insurance may cover treatment. You still may be responsible for your copay or deductible depending on your plan. If it’s purely cosmetic, insurance will not cover it.
The Number of Treatments: The reality is, you may need more than one treatment to get the best results. It can require up to four depending on the severity of your veins.

Insurance That May Cover Vein Removal Treatment

Medicare, most HMOs, and other major insurance plans will cover vein treatment if medically necessary. You may need to get prior authorization before the procedure. In most cases, your doctor’s office will get the necessary authorizations for you. Find out what insurance plans we take.

How to Identify Your Insurance Coverage

The best way to find out if vein treatment is covered by your insurance plan is to call. Give them detailed information about what treatment you need. You may need the provider’s information and procedure code, which you can get from the doctor’s office that is going to do the procedure.

What to Do if the Procedure Isn’t Covered

If your insurance does not cover the vein procedure, you may be able to pay out of pocket. You can also set up a payment plan with your doctor’s office or apply for Health Care financing through Care Credit.

Why Vein Procedures Are Worth It

Remember, paying for spider or varicose vein treatment is an investment in yourself. It continues to prove worthwhile to a growing number of our patients.

There will be no more leg pain or discomfort. You can get back to activities you love and show off your vein-free legs!

Filed under: Spider Veins, Varicose Veins, Vein TreatmentTagged with: sclerotherapy, varicose veins, vein doctor, vein treatment

While varicose veins cause aching pain and discomfort, they sometimes lead to more serious problems and can even burst when left untreated.This is a critical time to seek medical help and finally get treatment for your varicose veins. Because if a vein pops once, it may happen again.

Here, we explain why varicose veins burst and the next steps to take for a safe and healthy recovery.

What Makes a Varicose Vein Burst?

A varicose vein can burst from increased pressure within the veins. This build-up of pressure causes the walls of the vein to stretch, making it weak and prone to sudden rupture. A ruptured varicose vein can bleed into tissues and through the skin’s surface, especially if the skin is thin.

What Are the Symptoms of a Burst Varicose Vein?

Internal Rupture

If a varicose vein ruptures, but the skin is not broken, symptoms include bruising, dizziness, or fainting. If you experience these symptoms, visit your vein care specialist or the nearest emergency room to avoid excessive blood loss and other complications.

External Rupture

If a varicose vein ruptures and the skin is broken, significant bleeding will occur. Since veins burst from excess pressure, the bleeding can be rapid and profuse. In this case, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately to prevent excessive blood loss.

What to do When a Varicose Vein Bursts?

If your varicose vein has burst:

Elevate the leg of the affected area on a stack of pillows or up a wall. This will help reduce swelling and blood loss.
Apply pressure on the bleeding site with a towel or cotton t-shirt. This will help slow or stop the bleeding while you seek medical attention.
Visit your vein care specialist or the nearest emergency room as soon as possible, to avoid excessive blood loss.

Medical treatment of ruptured varicose veins involves ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. Patients need to undergo a complete evaluation of the lower extremity veins to check for the underlying cause of the rupture. We encourage you to seek treatment accordingly to prevent future ruptures.

How Can I Prevent a Varicose Vein from Bursting?

The best way to prevent a varicose vein from bursting is to get vein treatment. Not only does treating varicose veins and venous insufficiency help with your overall health, but it can also help you avoid some serious potential long-term risks like a ruptured vein or a leg ulcer.

Treat Your Varicose Veins Today

If you or a loved one suffers from leg swelling, rashes, or ulcers, see a vein specialist as soon as you can to prevent a potential vein rupture.

If you don’t have symptoms but do have the risk factors for varicose veins, see a doctor. A simple ultrasound test will determine whether you have varicose veins or not.

Remember, untreated varicose veins can lead to serious health problems. Don’t wait. With your varicose veins treated, you’ll feel better — and you’ll live a longer, healthier life with fewer complications.

Filed under: Varicose VeinsTagged with: symptoms, varicose veins

If you’ve noticed pesky veins showing up on your legs, you’re not alone. As we age, spider veins and varicose veins appear for two reasons:

1. Damaged skin

2. Aging vein valves

The sun ages and thins out the skin, causing it to break down and become more transparent. As this happens, we tend to see more of our veins and might want them removed.

But first, it’s important to know the difference between these types of veins so you can get the best treatment.

The Difference Between Varicose Veins & Spider Veins

Spider Veins

Spider veins have a web-like appearance and appear towards the surface of your skin. These surface veins supply blood to the skin and other superficial areas. They are small, twisted blood vessels and can be the color red, purple, or blue.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are large and deeper because they supply blood to muscle tissue. When they become visible, they’re more obvious and tend to pop out.

Causes of Spider Veins vs Varicose Veins?

Spider and varicose veins may look different, but they show up for the same reasons.

Our veins work to pump blood from the legs back to the heart. As we age the valves weaken, causing the blood to flow backward. This makes the blood collect in your veins and make your veins enlarged. All this, because the blood is not being pushed back to your heart.

Other factors that contribute to spider veins and varicose veins issues include:

Genetics
Hormones
Leg trauma
Not being active
Smoking
Weight Gain

Treating Varicose Veins vs Spider Veins

When it comes to removing your veins, there are several treatment options available. Be sure to seek vein treatment from a vein specialist. This ensures you get the correct procedure and rule out vein diseases like venous insufficiency.

How to Treat Spider Veins

Spider veins are treated with a procedure known as Sclerotherapy. It’s a common treatment performed in your doctor’s office. It takes about 15 – 30 minutes and you can return to normal activities the very next day.

A solution is injected into the veins that irritate the vein walls and causes them to stick together, clot and collapse. Your body will break them down and reabsorb them. Depending on how many veins you need treated, multiple treatments may be required to get desired results.

Regardless, the appearance of spider veins will fade over time.

How to Treat Varicose Veins

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a successful treatment for varicose veins. The procedure involves a catheter that is inserted into the varicose vein. Using a high-frequency alternating current, the vein spasms, and collapses. The body will absorb the dead tissue and start using a healthy vein to pump blood from the legs to the heart.

RFA is a non-invasive outpatient procedure done in the doctor’s office and performed under moderate sedation. You can resume normal activities the day after treatment.

When to See a Doctor

Whether it’s the appearance of spider veins or varicose veins that concern you, there are options. And the sooner you get them treated, the sooner you can enjoy your life.

If you have symptoms like swelling, cramping, heaviness, or pain in your legs, consult with a doctor. These could be symptoms of Venous Insufficiency, a progressive vein disease that, if left untreated, could result in other health issues.

Filed under: Spider Veins, Varicose VeinsTagged with: sclerotherapy, spider veins, varicose veins, vein treatment