Many people often want to know what is sclerotherapy? Sclerotherapy is a medical treatment that is commonly used to roam all spider veins and varicose veins. This is done by using a salt sclerosant agents, that is injected into the affected vein. This solution will cause the blood vessels to enlarge and join together and also the clotting of blood will occur. The vessels that were injected with this solution will eventually form scar tissue, which fades over time.
What type of doctor should I use if I want to have scleortherapy done? If you are planning on having this procedure done, then you need to have a medical practitioner who is certified to do sclerotherapy. This would include a vascular surgeon or dermatologist. The doctor will go through your medical history and also perform a physical exam. From here they will determine what the best treatment plan is for you.
Who is a good candidate for sclerotherapy? From the results of the physical examination, the doctor will consider doing sclerotherapy dependent on the health of the patient. It should be noted that if a patient is bedridden or pregnant, they cannot have scleortherapy done.
How is the procedure done? Sclerotherapy is done by injecting a fine needle directly into the vein that contains a salt solution. A little discomfort might occur in the first couple of minutes in the procedure usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes.
What is the best way to prepare for the procedure? When preparing for the sclerotherapy procedure it is recommended that the individual does not apply lotion on the legs. They should also avoid certain medications such as tetracycline which causes the skin to stain. The doctor may recommend avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen and or different types of anti-inflammatory medicines for 48 to 72 hours before the procedure.
What are the side effects of having the procedure done? After having sclerotherapy done, itching may occur in this can last between 1-2 days. Raised red areas may occur at the injection site, these however will disappear after a few days. The patient may experience minor bruising around the injection site. If larger veins have been treated, they may become hard and lumpy and might require several months to fade and dissolve.
What should I expect after having sclerotherapy done? After the procedure there is a good chance that you will be able to drive yourself home. Doctors recommend walking and also to wear a compression stocking.
What should be avoided after the procedure? Patients should avoid ibuprofen, aspirin or any types of anti-inflammatory medicines for at least 2 days. The patient should also not have any hot compresses, hot baths , whirlpools for saunas and direct sunlight 48 hours after the sclerotherapy treatment.
How effective is sclerotherapy? After the first treatment, 50 to 80% of injected veins may disappear. It is estimated that less than 10% of the people who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections. If the procedure is done properly, the veins will not reappear. It should be noted that new veins may appear at the same rate as before.