Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that is used to treat varicose and spider veins. The treatment involves an injection into the vein, which causes the vein to scar and collapse, rerouting the blood through healthier veins. The treated vein fades over a few weeks to months, although it might not disappear completely. Some veins require more than one treatment.

Good candidates are generally people who are in good health. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have deep vein thrombosis or superficial vein thrombosis should not have sclerotherapy. People who are taking birth control pills can have sclerotherapy. However, those with a history of blood clots will need to discuss this with the practitioner.

The treatment is not typically painful, but some patients may feel stinging or cramping when the injection is taking place.

Common side effects include bruising, raised red areas, small skin sores, darkened skin, and the appearance of tiny red blood vessels around the treated area. Side effects are usually temporary and subside within days to weeks. Some can take months to disappear.

Treatments usually last 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size and number of veins being treated.

Generally there is little to no downtime required after undergoing sclerotherapy, allowing most patients to return to regular activities immediately. It is often advised to avoid strenuous exercise for a short period and compression stockings may be recommended to help aid in healing.

The results of sclerotherapy can be long-lasting, with treated veins generally no reappearing. Even though specific veins treated with sclerotherapy usually don’t come back, new varicose or spider veins can develop in other areas over time, which could require additional treatment.