Sclerotherapy is a treatment where a medical practitioner injects medicine into your blood vessels to shrink them. It is mainly used as a treatment for small varicose veins and spider veins. It is a non-surgical procedure and only requires an injection. Sclerotherapy uses an irritating solution known as a sclerosant. A doctor injects the solution directly into your veins, triggering an irritation that causes the veins to swell. The swelling blocks the vein, cutting off blood flow. If you have varicose veins or spider veins that cause pain or result in self-consciousness, you may want to visit a professional administering Sclerotherapy in Venice. The treated veins usually fade after a few weeks, but you may need multiple treatments to get rid of the problem entirely.
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When Should You Consider Sclerotherapy?
You do not necessarily need Sclerotherapy, even if you have spider veins. You must first visit a specialist to discuss your symptoms and determine if the treatment is necessary. If you do not have a huge problem, you may benefit from less invasive and more affordable treatments. However, you may need to consider Sclerotherapy if:
- You experience pain.
- Your legs feel sore or heavy.
- You have patchy or dry legs.
- You have a rash near the affected veins.
What to Expect
Before you can start treatment, you have to consult with a doctor to assess the affected veins. The procedure is done at a vein specialist’s office. Usually, you do not need any form of anesthesia or preparation for this procedure. If your doctor gives any specific instructions before treatment, make sure to follow them.
During the treatment, you will lie on your back with your legs raised. Your doctor will clean the site of treatment and insert a small needle into the affected vein. It does not cause any pain, but you may feel a slight pinch. They will then inject the irritant solution, which may cause a mild tingling or burning sensation. Sometimes, you may feel nothing at all.
After treatment, they will massage the injected area to prevent blood from flowing back into the vein. You may need to wear compression stockings or a pad after treatment for the same reason. If you want to collapse the vein completely, you may need follow-up treatments. The same applies if you have several varicose veins.
During recovery, you need to maintain high mobility to prevent blood from clotting. You may also want to avoid sunlight as it may cause dark spots in the area. Although you may experience tenderness around the site of treatment, you should have no problems during recovery.
Risks
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure, so it is incredibly safe. Some of the common risks associated with Sclerotherapy include redness, bruising, and pain around the affected vein. You may also develop small branches of blood vessels, but they fade away after some time. Rare complications include blood clots in the treated vein and allergic reactions to the irritant solution.
In summary, Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. It uses a sclerosant that blocks off affected veins. The procedure does not need anesthesia, special preparation, or a hospital stay.
You may need multiple treatments if you have several spider veins or varicose veins. It does not present any significant risks.