Super Glue Could Be The Answer To Getting Rid Of Uncomfortable, Unsightly Varicose Veins

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There have been many treatments to help get rid of varicose veins, but the latest involves a common household item often used to piece things back together.

School teacher and mother of two Natalie Renzie told CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez that each of her pregnancies brought her more than just a baby.

"I started to have some pain throughout my legs, and it wasn't long after that the varicose veins showed themselves," she said.

As Natalie soon found out varicose veins can be both uncomfortable and unsightly.

"They're going to look almost like a snake going down the leg," Dr. Jason Andrus said.

Varicose veins form when weak or damaged valves allow blood to back up and pool. The veins swell, bulge, and become twisted and visible on the skin's surface.

Varicose veins affect nearly half of all people over 50, but they can happen in young people too. Family history, pregnancy, obesity, being female, and spending a lot of time standing are all risk factors. The good news is there are some very effective treatments.

"With laser energy you seal the main vein," Dr. Luis Navarro explained.

Dr. Navarro is the founder of The Vein Treatment Center. He performs what's called a vein ablation which sends bursts of radio-frequency or laser energy through a catheter to heat and scar off the defective vein.

"Excellent results, very, very few complications," Dr. Navarro said.

Natalie wanted to try a new approach.

"It's something called cyanoacrylate. Industrially, it's really well known. It's called superglue," Dr. Jason Andrus explained.

The doctor inserts a thin tube down to the end of the vein, slowly injects the superglue, presses the vein shut, and works up the leg until the vein is completely sealed.

"My husband was kind of, 'you're going to put superglue in your body, you don't even know what could possibly happen,' but I think it's amazing. I think it's just another example of technology," Natalie said.

The long term effects of the treatment remain unknown.

The glue is permanent. It stays in the leg for life, and as with any new treatment Dr. Navarro advised caution.

"In the controlled studies doe by very experienced practitioners for the FDA it has been very safe, and with very good results. Now once the technique spreads to the general medical population we still don't know if it will be safe," Dr. Navarro said.

There is a 1 in 400 chance of a deadly blood clot. Doctors said the 45 minute treatment is virtually pain free, but is not typically covered by insurance.