What are sclerotherapy injections and how do they work for vein removal? Varicose or spider veins are a treatable condition. For the treatment, you need to undergo a medical procedure that involves completely removing the affected veins. A vein treatment doctor will suggest sclerotherapy for alleviating the appearance of veins.

How do Sclerotherapy Injections Remove Unsightly Veins?

This treatment involves giving the patient an injection containing a solution. The doctor will inject the solution directly into the vein, shrinking it down. Once the solution enters the vein, it irritates the walls of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse. When the vein shrinks, it extracts the blood, which causes it to clot. With time, the vein will dissolve. Sclerotherapy is not a new treatment. People are been using this treatment since the 1930s to remove bulging veins from their bodies. At The Vein Treatment Center, the general surgeon Dr. Luis Navarro has over 30 years of experience treating veins. He has pioneered vein treatment, and opened one of the first vein centers in NYC.

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Conditions that Can Benefit from Sclerotherapy

You can undergo sclerotherapy to treat spider and varicose veins. A varicose vein is a chronic venous insufficiency developed due to various reasons. Generally, people develop varicose veins on their legs. But, they may appear on other parts of the body as well. You may develop varicose veins because of a weak inner lining of the vein. When this happens, the valves lose their ability to function. These valves maintain the forward flow of blood, preventing blood from moving backward. When valves fail to function properly, blood will pool inside the veins, causing them to expand.

Varicose veins can become a painful condition and cause skin diseases, such as rashes and infections. You can shrink the veins using Sclerotherapy Injections, thereby preventing vein damage. As a result, the vein grows less visible. Because swelling in the veins causes pain, shrinking it will reduce the intensity. Besides varicose and spider veins, you can also treat the following conditions with sclerotherapy:

1.     Malformed Lymph Vessels

Lymph vessels supply lymph or lymphatic fluid throughout the body. This helps your immune system eliminate external bodies that can cause infection or allergies.

2.     Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids develop due to the irritation and swelling of blood vessels around the rectum. You can use Sclerotherapy Injections to shrink these vessels. Doctors recommend this treatment as a last resort when other treatments fail to offer relief. Symptoms of Hemorrhoids include uncomfortable bowel movement and pain.

3.     Hydroceles

This condition affects the testicles due to unhealthy fluid development in the body. This condition can also affect other parts of the body.

Do You Need Sclerotherapy?

It’s not necessary that you opt for sclerotherapy to alleviate varicose or spider veins. Rather, it’s important that you consult a vein treatment specialist first. They will suggest a treatment plan according to your symptoms and intensity. Doctors may suggest less invasive and more affordable treatment options for your condition. The doctor will recommend sclerotherapy injections if you have these symptoms:

1. When the veins are causing pain
2. When your skin is becoming dry or patchy
3. When you develop rash around varicose veins
4. When you feel heavy or sore in your legs

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Before the Procedure

Before your treatment, you should avoid some medications. Hence, it’s important to inform the doctor of any medication or dietary supplements you consume. They may also ask you to avoid certain substances, such as antibiotics. For safety, you should avoid applying lotion on the area as it may enter your body through the point of injection. Many doctors recommend avoiding ibuprofen, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medication 48 to 72 hours before the treatment.

During the Procedure

When you will visit the doctor for sclerotherapy, they will evaluate the problem and identify the varicose vein. It’s a quick procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia, so you’ll receive the injection in the doctor’s office.

During the procedure, you have to lay on your back. The doctor will begin by cleaning the skin above the varicose vein and then injecting the solution into the vein. You will feel slight pain when the needle enters your body. After the solution enters the vein, you may either feel tingling, burning, or nothing at all.

After completely injecting the solution, the vein treatment doctor will massage the location. This will prevent blood from entering the vein again. The doctor will also suggest you wear compression socks or a pad to build pressure in the area.

Depending on your condition, you may or may not need another visit. However, you do need to see your doctor for a follow-up. They will inspect the vein and check if it collapsed completely. If they notice that the vein is swelling again, you’ll need follow-up treatment. Similarly, if you have multiple varicose veins, you’ll need to undergo treatment multiple times.

After the Procedure

You should keep yourself active to prevent the blood from clotting. You may develop dark spots and patches on the treated area because of overexposure to the sun. Therefore, prevent direct sunlight exposure to the area. Some people also notice bruising and tenderness on the injected area but this recovers over time.

Sclerotherapy Injections for Vein Removal: Conclusion

Are you developing varicose veins on your legs and other parts of the body? You should consult with a vein treatment doctor. They will diagnose your condition and advise you on whether you need sclerotherapy or not. The Vein Treatment Center in NYC offers the best treatment for any venous condition. Contact us at 212-249-6117 to make an appointment with our highly qualified surgeons.