What can I do for a second degree burn I received as a result of sclerotherapy?

A trainee performed sclerotherapy on my lower leg, while a PA injected my upper leg. Polidocanol was used. Though they worked simultaneously, they operated independently and without supervision. I now have a 4 x 4 inch second degree burn on my lower left leg. What can I do? How do I make it go away?

Answers from doctors (14)


Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Published on Apr 05, 2013

Triple antibiotic ointment and pain management

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Answered by Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Triple antibiotic ointment and pain management

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vascular Institute at Teton Radiology

Published on Apr 01, 2013

You should follow up with your provider. They need to access the area to see what treatment, if any, you need. Some of these areas heal on their own, while others require wound care.

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Answered by The Vascular Institute at Teton Radiology

You should follow up with your provider. They need to access the area to see what treatment, if any, you need. Some of these areas heal on their own, while others require wound care.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Mar 27, 2013

Silvadene cream is needed.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Silvadene cream is needed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Mar 27, 2013

There really is nothing that you can do at this point to reverse what has already happened. Routine wound care is needed here to prevent the wound from getting infected. The chemical burn should eventually heal in time, but you will be left with a visible scar.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

There really is nothing that you can do at this point to reverse what has already happened. Routine wound care is needed here to prevent the wound from getting infected. The chemical burn should eventually heal in time, but you will be left with a visible scar.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Mar 27, 2013

I can't say I have ever seen that happen before, but usually burns like that mean that the sclerosing agent didn't even make it in the vein, it just stayed in the surrounding tissue and damaged it. They did a terrible job with the injections because that shouldn't happen at all, even using 3% polidocanol. Was the sclerotherapy done via ultrasound? I would go back to the clinic to have it documented and treated. That is a good size of skin to has been burned. Keep the burn covered with non-stick gauze called Tefla pads, and maybe a loose ace wrap. Burn ointment wouldn't be a bad idea, but a 2nd degree burn is usually treated with antibiotic creams to prevent infection.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

I can't say I have ever seen that happen before, but usually burns like that mean that the sclerosing agent didn't even make it in the vein, it just stayed in the surrounding tissue and damaged it. They did a terrible job with the injections because that shouldn't happen at all, even using 3% polidocanol. Was the sclerotherapy done via ultrasound? I would go back to the clinic to have it documented and treated. That is a good size of skin to has been burned. Keep the burn covered with non-stick gauze called Tefla pads, and maybe a loose ace wrap. Burn ointment wouldn't be a bad idea, but a 2nd degree burn is usually treated with antibiotic creams to prevent infection.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 26, 2013

It is likely that you do not have a burn, but a blister resulting from extravastion of sclerosant (they missed the vein). This can progress to an ulceration and heal with a scar. Keep wearing stockings and get rechecked ASAP.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

It is likely that you do not have a burn, but a blister resulting from extravastion of sclerosant (they missed the vein). This can progress to an ulceration and heal with a scar. Keep wearing stockings and get rechecked ASAP.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Mar 26, 2013

I am sorry to here that. That is unfortunate. It really needs to be seen by a doctor (dermatologist, plastic, general or vascular surgeon) or someone with experience in wound care to determine if its a second degree burn or full thickness skin necrosis. The treatments would be different.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

I am sorry to here that. That is unfortunate. It really needs to be seen by a doctor (dermatologist, plastic, general or vascular surgeon) or someone with experience in wound care to determine if its a second degree burn or full thickness skin necrosis. The treatments would be different.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Mar 26, 2013

I am so sorry you are having trouble. I would advice you to get it checked immediately. If it is a burn, it may get infected.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

I am so sorry you are having trouble. I would advice you to get it checked immediately. If it is a burn, it may get infected.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Mar 26, 2013

You probably have cutaneous necrosis, or a chemical burn from an injection. Once the damage is done there is very little that can be done to shorten the long healing time (months). Debridement in the office (removal of the dead tissue or dark center) should help. Also, keeping the area clean and dry to prevent infection is wise. Applications of topical antibiotics is not necessary and should be avoided after a few days. Systemic antibiotics are useless unless secondary infection sets in. Although cutaneous necrosis can happen even in the most experienced hands, it is more likely when novices perform treatment. Because your affected area is so large, consider seeing a plastic surgeon very soon.


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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

You probably have cutaneous necrosis, or a chemical burn from an injection. Once the damage is done there is very little that can be done to shorten the long healing time (months). Debridement in the office (removal of the dead tissue or dark center) should help. Also, keeping the area clean and dry to prevent infection is wise. Applications of topical antibiotics is not necessary and should be avoided after a few days. Systemic antibiotics are useless unless secondary infection sets in. Although cutaneous necrosis can happen even in the most experienced hands, it is more likely when novices perform treatment. Because your affected area is so large, consider seeing a plastic surgeon very soon.


Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 26, 2013

There must be a physician associated with the practice who can evaluate and treat this wound. Anyone who does a lot of sclerotherapy will eventually get an ulceration from extravasation, even if the physician has experience.These areas are usually very small and heal well. You have a large area which needs to be kept clean (soap and water is as good as anything). Some sort of salve, such as silver sulfadiazine, will help as well.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

There must be a physician associated with the practice who can evaluate and treat this wound. Anyone who does a lot of sclerotherapy will eventually get an ulceration from extravasation, even if the physician has experience.These areas are usually very small and heal well. You have a large area which needs to be kept clean (soap and water is as good as anything). Some sort of salve, such as silver sulfadiazine, will help as well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 25, 2013

Follow up with your MD. These generally heal with time, but yours sounds like a large area and needs close follow up.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Follow up with your MD. These generally heal with time, but yours sounds like a large area and needs close follow up.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein 911

Published on Mar 25, 2013

Consult a well-trained wound care center physician, or consider consulting a plastic surgeon who may be able to excise the wound with minimal scarring.

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Answered by Vein 911

Consult a well-trained wound care center physician, or consider consulting a plastic surgeon who may be able to excise the wound with minimal scarring.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 25, 2013

The burn you describe is large. This is certainly a very unusual complication. I would treat this as any second degree burn and apply topical Silvadene cream. Burns such as these take time to heal. You really should have this looked at by a surgeon or by someone with burn treatment experience.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The burn you describe is large. This is certainly a very unusual complication. I would treat this as any second degree burn and apply topical Silvadene cream. Burns such as these take time to heal. You really should have this looked at by a surgeon or by someone with burn treatment experience.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Mar 25, 2013

A wound care specialist will best be able to serve you. He/She can recommend treatments that minimize the appearance of the burn or rid it all together over time.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

A wound care specialist will best be able to serve you. He/She can recommend treatments that minimize the appearance of the burn or rid it all together over time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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