New Vein Therapy Option Approved by the FDA

Both men and women can be afflicted with veins that show, ache, swell and burn. Just last Wednesday (March 31, 2010) the FDA issued their approval for Asclera, a new treatment for varicose veins. Polidocanol, the generic name, is injected into the vein and works by damaging the vein's cell lining, ultimately allowing the tissue to be replaced. Designed for use in veins less than a millimeter in diameter (that's 1/24th of an inch to us Americans), it is approved for reticular veins up to 3 mm in diameter (which is about 1/8th of an inch).

Although varicose veins are the most well-known of vein problems, spider veins are extremely common as well. Varicose veins can ache, burn, swell and cause night cramps, while spider veins are particularly unattractive when located on the face.

Asclera joins other treatments for sclerosing veins, such as stripping (less popular now than 20 years ago) and laser therapies.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Martin O'Toole