While spider veins do not cause pain and are not of a major health concern, patients in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and throughout the country eagerly seek ways to rid themselves of this venous condition. The embarrassing nature of spider veins may be disruptive to a person's life, affecting their personal, social or professional lives in some cases. Through innovative processes and methods, physicians have effectively provided relief to many patients suffering from spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a treatment that utilizes a chemical sclerant to irritate the vessel wall of problem veins, thus causing the veins to harden, collapse and eventually disappear.
Sclerotherapy has been used to successfully treat spider veins and small varicose veins. Those suffering from large varicose veins may be encouraged to seek other treatment options. The treatment should be performed by a phlebologist, dermatologist, vascular surgeon, plastic surgeon or other trained physician. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require a general anesthetic or the excessive amount of downtime that some surgical methods may require. Once the spider veins or small varicose veins are treated with sclerotherapy and fade away, blood flow will be handled by healthy veins deeper in the body.
In beginning this treatment, the physician will first sterilize the area being treated. The chemical sclerant is then injected into the larger problem veins first, followed by the smaller ones. Several injections may be required for each treatment, as each inch of vein being treated may require one injection. Many patients do not require any anesthetic during this treatment, but may experience some minor stinging or burning during and right after injection. The injections are typically performed in 15 to 30 minutes.
Any mild pain or discomfort that patients experience after this procedure may be managed using over-the-counter pain medication. A physician may require the patient wear compression stockings after treatment to promote healthy blood flow and to alleviate any discomfort they may experience. While patients may be encouraged to walk following treatment, strenuous activities should be avoided. Many patients are even able to return to work or other normal activities immediately following treatment. Patients should speak with a physician regarding specific recovery instructions, though.
Some minor itching, bruising and swelling may be experienced after the procedure, but this is often short lived. Other possible complications are rare, but include allergic reaction, infection around the injection site and other complications arising from poor injection technique. For this reason, it is important that patients seek an experienced physician in the Myrtle Beach community at a reputable clinic to help prevent any avoidable mistakes or complications.
Those interested in treating other areas besides the legs should speak with a physician regarding this possibility. Sclerotherapy has been considered safe to perform on the face, arms, hands and other areas of the body once thought best avoided with this treatment.
The minimally invasive nature of sclerotherapy and the fact that many patients are able to return to their regular routine following treatment is what attracts so many patients to sclerotherapy. Ridding oneself of spider veins or small varicose veins may have a tremendous effect on a person's self-esteem. Those interested in this treatment should speak with a physician in their area to determine if sclerotherapy is right for them.
Learn more about sclerotherapy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
