Sclerotherapy Treatment for the Elimination of Varicose and Spider Veins

Slecrotherapy is a proven procedure for treating varicose and spider veins that has been in use since 1930s. A salt solution is injected into the skin which irritates the blood vessel lining to make it swell and stick together. This also leads to blood clotting, and after some time, the vessel turns into scar tissue to fade away.

However before undergoing Houston sclerotherapy for spider veins, you have to have a consultation with a dermatologist or vascular medicine specialist to decide if you are a probable candidate for sclerotherapy spider veins. While pregnant women cannot undergo sclerotherapy treatment, those on birth control pills can.

However if you have had a blood clot in the past, your doctor will decide your eligibility for sclerotherapy treatments based on the health of the area to be treated and the reason for the blood clot. Moreover, veins that can be used for future bypass sclerotherapy are not considered for treatment unless your doctor considers them unusable for surgery.

Process

A very fine needle is used to inject the salt solution into the vein. This takes about 15-30 minutes, wherein you may experience some discomfort and cramping for a few minutes. It is based on the size and location of the veins, your medical condition that your doctor determines the number of veins that can be injected in a session.

Preparation for the procedure

As you have to stop some medications before the procedure, you have to inform your doctor about all the medications, (including over the counter drugs, herbs and dietary supplements) you take.

While aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs have to be avoided about 2-3 days before sclerotherapy, Tylenol is safe to use. However no lotion should be applied on the legs before sclerotherapy.

Side effects

You may experience some itching and raised red areas for a few days after the procedure. Though there may be some bruising, it reduces in a few days or weeks’ time. The brown lines or spots that may develop at the vein site disappear in three to six months. Even those tiny blood vessels that develop at the site of treatment after a few days will fade off within three to twelve months without any medication.

Though these side effects are nothing to worry about, if you find some inflammation within five inches of your groin region, sudden swelling in the leg or small ulcers at the injection site, you have to contact your doctor immediately.

Contact us today for more information from our Houston plastic surgeon.