Sclerotherapy
What are Spider and Varicose Veins?
Spider Veins
Are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin. Although they can appear anywhere on the body, spider veins are most commonly found on the face and legs and look like red or purple sunbursts or web patterns. Spider veins are also referred to as telangiectasias or broken capillaries. They usually pose no health hazard but may produce a dull aching in the legs after prolonged standing.
Varicose Veins
Are swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vein's wall or valves. They are located somewhat deeper than spider veins, are sometimes raised, and often appear blue. The origin of these varicose veins may be hidden under the skin. Advanced cases of varicose veins can be harmful to a patient's health because they may be associated with the development of one of the following conditions:
Venous Stasis Ulcers which can result when the enlarged vein dose not provide adequate drainage of fluid from the skin. The swollen skin receives insufficient oxygen and an ulcer forms.
Phlebitis which is an inflammation of the vein.
Thromboses which are blood clots forming in the enlarged vein.
What Causes Spider or Varicose Veins?
No one knows for sure. Primary contributing factors include heredity, pregnancy and hormonal influences. Trauma to the legs and prolonged sitting or standing also play a role. Varicose veins and spider veins are more common in women and seem to run in families. More than 20 percent of women have some form of varicose condition.
Are You a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy can help delete or minimize spider and varicose veins. Larger veins may need to be treated by a vascular surgeon. Improvement, not perfection, is the goal. The best candidates are ones who are generally healthy with realistic expectations.
What is Sclerotherapy?
One of several kinds of solutions, called sclerosants, is injected with a fine needle directly into the blood vessel. This sclerosant causes the vein to close up or collapse and become scar tissue that is eventually absorbed by the body. Post-treatment therapy includes wearing compression stockings and moderate exercise.
Sclerotherapy generally requires multiple treatment sessions, with intervals of 4-6 weeks between treatments on any one area. After several treatments, most patients can expect a fifty to ninety percent improvement, with noticeable improvement by 6 months. Sclerotherapy only treats existing veins. Similar veins may likely appear in the same area.
What Are the Side Effects of Sclerotherapy?
Stinging and pain at the sites of injections, swelling of the ankles or feet, or muscle cramps.
These usually go away within 10-15 minutes after injection.
Red, raised areas at the sites of injection.
These should disappear in a day or so.
Brown lines or spots on the skin at the sites of treated blood vessels.
These are due to blood escaping from treated veins are more common when treating larger vessels. Usually they disappear within a year.
Development of groups of fine red blood vessels near the sites of injection or larger vessels, especially on the thighs.
These are very common and can resolve spontaneously or persist.
Small, painful ulcers at treatment sites either immediately or within a few days of injection.
These occur when some of the solution escapes in to the surrounding skin. If this occurs, you must inform our office promptly. They can usually be treated.
Bruises at the site where the needle went into the skin.
These will resolve within a few weeks and are likely due to the thinness of the blood vessel walls.
Allergic reactions to certain sclerosing solutions.
Rarely this causes anaphylaxis and death. Less-serious reactions can be treated with antihistamines.
Inflammation of treated blood vessels.
This is unusual but can be treated with aspirin, antibiotics, compression, and heat.
Lumps in injected vessels, particularly larger ones.
These are caused by coagulated blood and are not dangerous. These can be drained at the follow-up appointment.
Are There Other Treatment Methods for Spider and Varicose Veins?
Ambulatory Phlebectomy removes an undesired vein via a series of tiny punctures along the path of the vein with subsequent hooking of the vein and removal by pulling from puncture site to puncture site.
Surgical Ligation and Stripping involves making an incision in the skin and either tying off (ligation) or pulling out (stripping) the vein.
Electrodesiccation seals off the veins with the application of electrical current.
Laser surgery and intense pulsed light therapy destroy veins using intense heat.
OF COURSE, DO NOT TAKE ANY MEDICATION TO WHICH YOU ARE ALLERGIC.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
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