Leg vein treatment in the winter is the best time

Winter is definitely the best time of year to treat vein problems like varicose veins, spider veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). But that doesn’t mean you should wait until the winter months to meet our vein physician in Nashville, TN. Vein treatment shouldn’t be delayed just because it’s warm outside.

When is the best time to treat leg veins?

There are some specific reasons why vein treatment has better outcomes during the cold winter months. Here are a few of those reasons:

• Vein treatments cause temporary bruising. During the winter months, you don’t need an excuse to bundle up and cover your legs if you’ve had a vein treatment that causes bruises on your legs (which go away in a matter of a few days).
• Sunlight can be harmful after vein treatments. UV rays can darken your skin in areas where you’ve had vein treatments. This is why Dr. Saragusa recommends that you avoid direct sunlight for several weeks after treatment. Again, bundling up because of the cold winter months allows you to do this.
• Healing is faster in the winter months. You will want to reduce your activity levels for a few weeks after vein treatments, to allow full healing to take place. This is naturally easier in the wintertime, because most of us tend to stay indoors and become less active until spring.
• Compression stockings are more comfortable in the winter. After many types of vein treatment, you will be prescribed compression stockings which extend to the top of your calves. The stockings aid in blood circulation and healing. In the winter, the stockings add an extra layer of clothing on your legs. During the summer, they’re not as comfortable to wear, and they can look odd if you try to wear them with shorts.

What do compression stockings feel like?

Compression stockings are tighter than normal socks. They grip your legs tightly, which facilitates better blood circulation and cellular oxygenation. The tightness takes a few days to get used to.

Returning to work after leg vein treatment

Most modern vein treatments allow you to return to many regular treatments after just a few days. However, the bruising and discomfort from varicose vein treatments can remain for one to two weeks. Most patients can return to their full activity schedule and exercise after resting for a week to ten days.

Common vein treatments & surgeries

Here’s a look at some of the most common vein treatment methods and surgeries we provide at Siragusa Vein & Laser in Nashville, TN.

Compression stockings

See above for more description. Compression stockings can be prescribed as a standalone treatment for minor spider veins, or as a companion treatment with many other procedures.

Sclerotherapy

This treatment involves injecting an irritant into a varicose vein with a small needle. The chemical irritant (usually a saline solution) constricts the vein and causes it to collapse. The vein then disappears over time.

Endovenous ablation

In this minimally invasive treatment, a tiny laser is inserted into a problematic vein. The focused laser light seals off the vein, which is absorbed back into the body so it disappears.

Microphlebectomy

This treatment involves tiny incisions made in the skin outside a varicose vein. A tool with a hook on is used to pull the vein out. It’s minimally invasive and only requires a bandage to cover the incisions afterward (no stitches or scarring).

Siragusa’s vein clinic in nashville

If varicose veins are causing you health problems, schedule a consult with us right away. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the middle of winter or July here in Nashville, TN. We’ll plan out a course of vein treatment to help you deal with varicose veins, spider veins, or DVT.