Although not as serious as varicose or spider veins, reticular veins can still be problematic and bothersome. Fortunately, you can eliminate these unsightly veins with the right treatment.
What Are Reticular Veins?
Reticular veins are small, dilated veins often visible beneath the skin’s surface. As many as 8 out of 10 adults have reticular veins. In some people, the presence of reticular veins eventually leads to the appearance of spider veins.
Reticular veins may also be referred to as “feeder’s veins.” Although they cause no symptoms for most patients, some people may experience itching and burning in the legs because of reticular veins.
How Are They Treated?
In general, reticular veins are not dangerous. However, because reticular veins can lead to the development of spider veins, many people decide to treat them. In addition, some patients want to seek treatment for their reticular veins because they are bothered by the appearance of these abnormal vessels.
The most common treatment method used to address reticular veins is sclerotherapy. During this procedure, a surgeon uses a thin needle to administer a special solution into the interior of each reticular vein. This solution irritates the walls of the vein, causing them to swell and stick together. The body absorbs the reticular vein over time and disappears from view.
In other cases, reticular veins may be treated with miniphlebectomy. This treatment option is less invasive than sclerotherapy. It removes the veins from the body through tiny punctures in the skin.
Seeking Treatment
If you have noticed reticular veins and are interested in pursuing one of the treatment options above, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with a local vein specialist. A vein specialist can evaluate your veins and help you choose the best treatment option.
To schedule your first appointment, please contact the Vein & Vascular Institute today.