I have developed livedo reticularis after having foam sclerotherapy. Is this a normal reaction?

Should livedo reticularis be indicative of a a condition called Lupus or is it common after sclerotherapy as the blood is re-routing?

Answers from doctors (2)


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jul 03, 2019

I have seen this happen before. It is a rare occurrence, maybe 1 in 1,000 treatments. I don't think we know the mechanism or what the sclerotherapy does to cause the livedo changes. It may resolve as I've seen these livedo changes resolve after other treatments.

Livedo reticularis is a common finding that is much more appreciated in fair-skinned individuals. It is simply more visible reticular venous plexus. While it is associated with many conditions such as lupus, the vast majority of times it does not occur with another disease.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

I have seen this happen before. It is a rare occurrence, maybe 1 in 1,000 treatments. I don't think we know the mechanism or what the sclerotherapy does to cause the livedo changes. It may resolve as I've seen these livedo changes resolve after other treatments.

Livedo reticularis is a common finding that is much more appreciated in fair-skinned individuals. It is simply more visible reticular venous plexus. While it is associated with many conditions such as lupus, the vast majority of times it does not occur with another disease.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Apr 08, 2011

Although livedo reticularis is associated with collagen problems as well as lupus and periarteritis nodosa, it frequently occurs in normal people. It is often associated with cold exposure and is due to spasm of the small arterioles in the skin with resultant dilation of the capillaries. Since sclerotherapy does cause constriction of the small vessels, it would seem that LR could occur following treatment. More likely, however, what you may be seeing is matting of the neighboring venules.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Although livedo reticularis is associated with collagen problems as well as lupus and periarteritis nodosa, it frequently occurs in normal people. It is often associated with cold exposure and is due to spasm of the small arterioles in the skin with resultant dilation of the capillaries. Since sclerotherapy does cause constriction of the small vessels, it would seem that LR could occur following treatment. More likely, however, what you may be seeing is matting of the neighboring venules.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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