Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and spider veins. It involves injecting chemicals, known as sclerosing agents, into damaged veins.
In addition to diminishing the appearance of varicose or spider veins, sclerotherapy can also reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins.
Varicose veinscan cause itching, pain, cramping, and discoloration.Spider veinsare smaller and less severe than varicose veins. Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, although anyone can get them.
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Medical illustration by Sophia Smith
The main purpose of sclerotherapy isto helppeople with spider or varicose veins reduce symptoms associated with those conditions, as well as improve the physical appearance of the affected areas. More rarely, doctors may use sclerotherapy to treat hemorrhoids.
Choosing an appropriate treatment depends on your preference and specific symptoms. That said, you may consider doing sclerotherapy because it’s a less invasive procedure. It may significantly help both your symptoms and the appearance of veins that you won’t need further surgical intervention.
In fact, in a 2016 study,80%of the participants who underwent a sclerotherapy procedure did not need further surgery to address their symptoms.
Speak to your doctor to find out if sclerotherapy is right for you.
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The affected veins may be raised, discolored, or swollen, and some may be deeper under the skin and can cause discomfort. Spider veins are smaller in size, are located closer to the surface of the skin, and can appear red, purple, or blue.
Sclerotherapy for the treatment of hemorrhoids istypically used当痔疮aresmaller and internal. It can also be used when the hemorrhoids bleed or when you can’t risk a surgical procedure such as a hemorrhoidectomy due to other health concerns.
Depending on the size of the damaged veins, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose and spider veins in the following areas:
- thighs
- calves
- ankles
- feet
- face (frequently the sides of the nose)
- anus
Most people with varicose or spider veins can be a candidate for sclerotherapy, though the procedure is most often done on people between30 and 60 yearsof age and in women.
这是因为这些条件随着人们的年龄变得更加明显，并且在身体更覆盖头发的男性身上往往不太明显。
People who are bedridden, breastfeeding, pregnant, orhavegiven birth in the last 3 months are not candidates for the procedure.
To know if you qualify for the procedure, you’ll undergo an exam by a vascular specialist, who can determine if this procedure is best for you.
Depending on the severity of the condition, sclerotherapy treatment for venous problems can take about30-45 minutes.If you’re getting treatment on your legs, your doctor may have you lie on your back with your legs elevated.
Depending on how far below your skin the damaged vein is, your doctor may use an超声as part of the procedure.
The procedure begins with your doctor cleaning the skin around the targeted veins. With a fine needle, your doctor will inject the damaged vein with a sclerosing agent, such as:
- Polidocanol.
- sodium tetradecyl sulfate
- 高渗盐水解决方案
液体或泡沫溶液导致注射静脉的壁密封关闭，因此血液被重定向到未受影响的静脉。随着时间的推移，您的身体吸收受损静脉，使其不那么可见和不舒服。
Based on the size of the treated vein or veins, you may need up to four treatments.
首先，您将与医疗保健专业人士进行咨询。他们将帮助您确定此程序是否适合您。接下来，你可能是advisedto do the following:
- Avoid certain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin (Bufferin), to reduce your risk of bleeding. These medications can affect your blood’s clotting process.
- Avoid applying lotion or shaving your legs before sclerotherapy to decrease irritation.
- Try compression stockings. You may be required to wear them for several days after the procedure.
- Notify your healthcare professional about other medical issues you have before your procedure.
你may experience minor cramping, stinging, or burning in the injected vein during sclerotherapy. The procedure can also be painful, especially if the sclerosing agent leaks into surrounding tissues.
Common side effects of sclerotherapy include:
- bruising
- stinging
- swelling
- skin discoloration
- discomfort
- raised red areas that appear around the injection sites
All of these side effects should subside in a few days. Brown lines or spots can develop near the treatment area as well. These normally disappear within 3 to 6 months, but in some cases this side effect lasts longer or may become permanent.
More serious side effects包括：
- allergic reaction to the sclerosing agent
- skin ulceration around the injection site
- blood clots in the treated veins
- 注射部位的不适，由炎症引起的
- infection in the skin
Checking in with your healthcare professional after sclerotherapy treatment will help you manage potential side effects.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a single sclerotherapy procedure in 2020 was$413.The overall cost depends on the size and number of veins treated, as well as where you live.
Sclerotherapy is usuallynot coveredby insurance if it’s done for cosmetic reasons. But if you experience medical symptoms related to varicose veins, your insurance might cover the procedure.
However, the insurance companyyou to treat your condition by wearing prescription compression socks first. If this is unsuccessful, you may receive coverage.
To get Medicare coverage for the procedure, you’ll need tosubmitmedical records to show your history of treatment in order to prove that the procedure is not needed only for cosmetic reasons.
与硬化疗法相关的没有停机时间。你很可能能够立即返回日常活动。你may also beadvised to do the following:
- Wear compression socks or stockings during the day, except when showering or sleeping.
- 服用乙酰氨基酚的止痛药，如泰诺治疗任何疼痛或不适。
- 避免阿司匹林和布洛芬。
- Avoid sunlight, hot baths, saunas, swimming pools, and the beach during the first 2 days after treatment.
- Stay active to reduce the chance of blood clots. However, you should avoid aerobic exercise, such as running and weightlifting, for a couple of days.
- In some instances, you might be advised not to fly for several days.
Smaller varicose veins and spider veins respond best to sclerotherapy. You may be able to see improvement within a few weeks of treatment. For larger varicose veins, the visual improvement can take长达4个月。
你may need several sessions to completely eliminate varicose or spider veins. It’s important to have realistic expectations about the effectiveness of sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy doesn’t guarantee that there will be no visible traces or side effects of varicose or spider veins after the procedure.