How's Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally-invasive procedure that has brought relief to many individuals suffering from spider veins in Ship Bottom, New Jersey as well as in other parts of the nation. Many sufferers of spider veins are embarrassed by the unsightly appearance of the veins, and may even grow self-conscious of the appearance of the condition. Sclerotherapy works by using a chemical sclerant to irritate the vessel lining so that it becomes inflamed, hardens and fades away completely. Other veins in the area will carry out blood flow in the absence of the problem vein.

The procedure works by first sterilizing and cleaning the treatment site, and then injecting the chemical sclerosant into the larger veins first, and then the smaller veins. About one injection is needed for every inch of vein being treated. The injection needle is small enough that the patient usually feels little to no pain and anesthesia is not required in most cases. About 15 minutes to half an hour is usually required to perform this procedure, making it a quick and convenient option for many suffering from spider veins. There may be a minor stinging or burning sensation during and right after the injection, but this goes away quickly. A bandage is applied after treatment and compression stockings are usually worn for a few days to aid the healing process.

Over-the-counter pain medication may be used to treat any discomfort postoperatively, although patients should speak with their Ship Bottom vein specialist before taking any medicine to ensure that it is safe to do so. There may be some mild bruising, itching or swelling at the injection site following treatment, although this is normal and goes away after a short period of time. Side effects are otherwise uncommon, but may include allergic reactions, infection at the treatment site and complications that may be associated with poor injection technique. For this reason, it is important to seek treatment from a highly trained, experienced professional.

Large varicose veins may not be treated using sclerotherapy. The treatment is intended for spider veins or smaller varicose veins. To treat larger veins, more sclerant is required which may not be safe. For this reason, patients are recommended to seek other treatment options when looking to find relief from larger varicose veins. This is an issue that should be discussed with a Ship Bottom vein specialist. Patients should discuss their candidacy for this treatment in general as well, and should reveal any medical conditions and medical history to make sure their safety is accounted for.

As spider veins are usually considered a cosmetic concern and not a medical one, insurance may not cover treatments to get rid of them. However, if varicose veins that cause negative medical symptoms including pain and heaviness are being treated, insurance may cover the cost of treatment. This is an issue best discussed in detail with a vein specialist and one's insurance company to help determine if the procedure may be covered.

Learn more about sclerotherapy in Ship Bottom, New Jersey.