For many, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern, so treatment is mainly for aesthetic reasons rather than bothersome symptoms. However, varicose veins and spider veins sometimes cause aching pain and discomfort and can lead to serious problems. Home remedies like leg elevation and wearing compression stockings may ease the pain and prevent the varicose veins from worsening. If these measures are ineffective, your Venice vein center provider may recommend sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive treatment that uses a special solution to irritate the damaged veins, causing them to close off. If you are considering getting sclerotherapy for your varicose veins or spider veins, here are things you should know.
You require no downtime
One of the advantages of sclerotherapy is that you don’t need to take time off work or spend the rest of your day resting. Many people resume regular activities on the same day of the procedure, with little restrictions. For example, your healthcare provider may advise avoiding strenuous activities for at least two weeks after sclerotherapy. You will also need to wear compression stockings for two weeks to prevent the collapsed veins from refilling with blood. Avoid shaving your leg or applying lotion on it until the site heals. You also want to avoid exposing the treated areas to the sun since it can lead to dark spots, especially if you have dark skin.
Your healthcare provider will encourage you to walk around soon after treatment so blood clots don’t form.
Results take time
It takes time for your body to absorb the collapsed veins after the procedure, meaning the results won’t be instant. It might take three to six weeks to notice the effects of sclerotherapy on small varicose veins and about three to four months for larger veins. Your doctor may only be able to treat some of the veins in one appointment, so you may need several treatments to achieve desired results. Likewise, if you develop new abnormal veins in the future, you will need additional treatment.
Generally, you need to space out your follow-up visits. Your doctor will recommend waiting about six weeks before your next sclerotherapy session.
There are risks involved
Although sclerotherapy generally has a few serious complications, it is associated with a few side effects. You may experience bruising, darkened skin, small skin sores, and hives on the area where the needle goes into your skin. These short-lived side effects usually fade away within days to weeks but may sometimes take months or longer.
Although less common, sclerotherapy may result in inflammation, causing swelling, warmth, and discomfort at the injection site. Non-prescription pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen might help with the inflammation. There is also a risk of an allergic reaction to the solution used for treatment. A lump of clotted blood can also form in the treated vein and might need to be drained. Although rare, the clot can travel to a deeper vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis), a potentially life-threatening condition.
Contact Florida Lakes Surgical to discuss with your healthcare provider about varicose veins treatment options and establish if sclerotherapy is appropriate for you.
