Do Varicose Veins Itch?

If you are seeking care from a vein doctor for itchy varicose veins, you can be certain that you are not the only one. While many think that varicose veins are purely cosmetic, vein disease can have many manifestations. Varicose veins are just one symptom of a more serious underlying issue--chronic venous insufficiency. The itchy feeling patients experience from varicose veins is a more advanced symptom and suggest inflammation at the level of the skin. These symptoms don’t happen overnight and thus it's important to seek early vein evaluations.
And while the cosmetic issues can be covered and even suppressed with compression socks and long pants, the feelings associated with venous insufficiency can become unbearable for many individuals. These symptoms include itchy veins, swollen legs, leg fatigue, leg cramps, leg pain and skin discoloration.
 
Why Do Varicose Veins Itch?
Varicose veins develop because of chronic venous insufficiency. In this condition, truncal or superficial veins become dysfunctional. This can result from many different causes including employment or lifestyles that lead to prolonged periods of standing or sitting, obesity, smoking, pregnancy are common associated issues. Genetics plays the largest role and many patients will identify parents or siblings with varicose veins.

In chronic venous insufficiency, the circulation becomes impaired in the superficial veins. The veins are dilated and the valves become dysfunctional unable to keep blood from refluxing (or falling back down) with gravity. Unlike deep veins, there is no significant muscle or tissue to prevent the veins from dilating further and worsening the problem.

This poor circulation effort leads to blood to pool in the legs and cause symptoms of venous insufficiency. Spider and varicose veins result from the over-distended veins that cause new , diseased veins to form.
 
As the situation worsens with time, the continued pooling of blood becomes chronically irritated and inflammatory to the walls of the veins and the surrounding tissue. This includes the skin which can become eczematous, itchy and discolored. Untreated this condition can lead to venous stasis changes or permanently discolored and eczematous. In the most serious cases, skin ulcers (CEAP 5 and 6), infections and bleeding can occur.
 
How to treat itchy varicose veins?
The eczema that results from venous insufficiency needs early treatment. Moisturizers and steroids can help resolve very irritated skin, but the key is to treat the underlying issue to prevent chronic insults on the skin.
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Fortunately, these treatments are readily available and can be done with relative ease in the hands of the best vein doctors. Modern treatments are minimally-invasive and catheter based technologies that eliminate the need for surgical removal of veins. Combination treatments with foam sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy can eliminate some of the most unsightly varicose veins once the underlying issue is resolved. If you are seeking expert venous care, make sure you see a board-certified vein specialist as soon as possible.

Article Source: http://sjveins.over-blog.com/2020/02/do-varicose-veins-itch.html

Treatment of Hand Veins

Increasingly, veins in the hands are becoming popular among aesthetic treatments and within the Tri-State area, many patients are wondering what is the best treatment to get rid of veins on the hands.

However, in light of the complex arterial and venous anatomy of the hand, it’s imperative that such treatment be only considered in the hands of a specialized vein doctor Cherry Hill NJ.

Is there a preferred way to treat hand veins?
Treatment options for undesired veins in the hands include sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy.

With sclerotherapy, the target vein is directly injected with either polidocanol or STS. Foam sclerotherapy may be preferred for best vein treatment effect. Compression therapy post treatment is advised, however is done with elastic bandages for 48 hours without interruption. The importance of an experienced physician cannot be over emphasized as the medication being improperly injected or over done can have serious consequences. The qualified vein doctor will be aware of the volume and concentration to have a desired effect and will prescribe appropriate post care to avoid complications such as DVT and phlebitis.

Ambulatory phlebectomy is also performed for hand vein treatments. Under sterile technique and local anesthesia, a small Mueller hook is used to exteriorize the target vein similar to varicose veins in the legs. Post procedure, compression is similar to sclerotherapy. With either sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy, the main side effect is bruising and swelling. In some cases, filler will be needed post phlebectomy to even out the surface of the hands.

If you are considering removal of hand veins, most varicose vein doctors near me will consider sclerotherapy as the primary choice of treatment. However, in some cases AP may be more appropriate. The judgement of a qualified vein doctor who specializes in both techniques and hand veins is important to be certain you will have a safe and desirable outcome.

Article Source: 

http://southjerseyveincenter.mystrikingly.com/blog/treatment-of-hand-veins

Ultrasound to Detect Vein Disease

Duplex ultrasound (DUS) has become the gold standard for evaluating signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency. The test can be performed in 20-60 minutes directly in the office to provide information on vein disease and vein reflux. The examination is best performed by a registered ultrasound technician for accuracy and quality. A proper vein specialists in NJ should also be knowledgeable in both the performance and reading of venous ultrasound.

It is recommended that symptomatic patients with leg pain or leg swelling who have physical findings consistent with CEAP stages 2-6 undergo clinical evaluation with duplex ultrasound for detection of chronic venous insufficiency.

For superficial venous evaluation, the primary veins that are evaluated on ultrasound include the GSV, SSV and their primary tributaries. The ultrasound should be performed with pulse wave doppler using a linear 7.5-10MHz transducer. The end goal is to identify incompetent truncal veins and perforator veins. The deep system should also be carefully evaluated to exclude any disease. The vein specialists NJ utilize modern guidelines from the American College of Phlebology to ensure proper performance and documentation of exams.

The exam is generally performed in the standing position, though reverse trendelenburge can be also considered in patients vulnerable to vagal episodes or dizziness with prolonged standing. During examination, the veins are evaluated for size, wall characteristics, debris, and vein reflux. The venous reflux portion is measured with pulse wave doppler and is assisted by augmentation maneuvers. Venous blood flow is characterized by movement of blood towards the heart and any incompetent valves can be detected by abnormal reflux or regurgitation exceeding 500 milliseconds on doppler ultrasound. Vein doctors in New Jersey are expected to review these results prior to vein treatment recommendations. Vein Clinics in New Jersey will recommend treatment based on symptoms and ultrasound findings that are consistent. Insurance coverage for vein treatment in New Jersey is carrier specific and should be discussed in detail with the vein doctor New Jersey before proceeding.

Duplex ultrasound is also just as important in the follow up after vein treatment for varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy are effective methods to cure spider veins and varicose veins, however duplex ultrasound permits post treatment monitoring for effectiveness and safe outcomes, such as excluding endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) from ablation. There are 4 stages of EHIT that are closely examined in the post procedure follow up ultrasound.

As such, DUS is required for diagnosis, pre-treatment planning, and follow up after vein treatment with radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation , sclerotherapy and venaseal.

Article Source:

http://njveinclinic.mystrikingly.com/blog/ultrasound-to-detect-vein-disease