SKIN ESSENTIALS

Spiders are for Halloween

By LISA MONTAG

Have you been hiding your legs due to spider veins? Then it may be time to say goodbye to spider veins and feel confident in how your legs look. Skin Essentials at Mankato Clinic offers spider vein treatment to reduce or eliminate the appearance of spider veins.

When should you consider spider vein treatment?

• If you have visible veins on your legs or thighs that have a branching or web-like pattern.

• If you feel that your spider veins are a sign of aging that you would like to eliminate.

• If you are embarrassed by the noticeable branching or web-like veins.

• If you avoid wearing shorts, swimsuits or dresses because you don’t want others to see your spider veins.

How are spider veins treated?

Spider vein therapy called sclerotherapy is a procedure where a solution is injected into the vein which then causes the vein to shrink and gradually disappear. This is a minimally invasive procedure that can take about 30-45 minutes. Several treatments may be needed.

How do I know if treatment is right for me?

Lisa Montag, NP, of Skin Essentials at the Mankato Clinic offers complimentary consultations. To find out if you are a good candidate for spider vein treatment, call 507-625-6599.

Is it Spider Veins or Varicose Veins?

Mankato Clinic provides treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. While they are related, there are important differences between the conditions.

Varicose veins are twisted veins that can be blue, red or skincolored. The larger veins may appear ropelike and make the skin bulge out. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs and fronts of the calves or inside the legs near the ankles and feet. They can be painful. Your legs may feel tired, heavy or achy. Some people experience throbbing, cramping, swelling and itching.

Spider veins, or thread veins, are smaller than varicose veins.

They are usually red. They may look like tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins can usually be seen under the skin, but they do not make the skin bulge out like varicose veins do.

Lisa Montag, NP, of Skin Essentials will examine your legs to diagnose spider or varicose veins. Lisa treats spider veins with sclerotherapy at Skin Essentials.

If you have varicose veins, there are various treatments available from a Mankato Clinic physician. ■

Source: U.S. Office on Women’s Health

Lisa Montag, NP

Skin Essentials

Skin Essentials Mankato Clinic skinessentialsmankato.com

507-625-6599