Sclerotherapy- a treatment for spider vein and varicose vein
Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider vein and varicose vein. It is a process used to close the veins shut so that they become ineffective and then the blood starts to move from other effective veins. In Sclerotherapy, the doctors insert a liquid chemical inside the veins with the help of a needle. This inserted chemical causes the veins wall to swell and stick to each other, this makes them seal shut. This does not allow blood to flow from them anymore and the vein turns into scar tissues. After a few weeks, the vein fades away completely. This is an easy process and the patients are awake while the process is going on, one can resume to normal days work immediately after the procedure.
The same affected vein may be treated more than once; it may take four to five weeks. One may be asked to wear compression stocking in order to avoid swelling. It is a very effective process if it is done correctly. However, there are side effects of the same they may include:
Patches or redness on the skin from where the injection was made. But they usually go away after the treatment is done.
Spots, groups of fine red blood vessels around the treated area. They also tend to go away after a short while.
Blood that gets trapped in the veins causes lumps. This is nothing to worry about. One can deal with the swelling that follows by applying a little heat or taking aspirins. Also, a little pinprick can drain the trapped blood out in no time; this can be done by the doctor.
If the veins cannot be seen on the skins surface then ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy is done. It uses ultrasound images to direct the needle to the vein. It is no different just the way to reach the veins is different.