What can go wrong with sclerotherapy?
If you have spider or varicose veins, you may be considering sclerotherapy to get rid of them. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure during which a solution is injected into the veins to make them collapse and fade away. It’s an incredibly safe procedure, but no medical procedure is without risks and limitations. As a patient, you deserve a complete understanding of the sclerotherapy treatment, including its possible side effects and risks.
You may need multiple sclerotherapy sessions
The most common complication of sclerotherapy is that the treated veins don’t disappear completely. You may need multiple sclerotherapy treatments to get desired results. That’s because each sclerotherapy injection can only target one spider vein, so you need multiple sclerotherapy solution injections to target all spider veins. If you have a lot of spider veins, you may need 3 to 4 sclerotherapy sessions. Furthermore, larger veins take longer to resolve.
Allergic reactions to the sclerotherapy solution and other risks
Sclerotherapy treatments also have a small risk of an allergic reaction to the sclerotherapy solution. Allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution are rare but can occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include itching, redness, and swelling at the injection site. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately.
Larger veins may require multiple injections of the sclerosing solution. There is also a risk of the solution leaking out of the vein and into the surrounding tissues. Furthermore, in rare cases, the blood vessels can get blocked, leading to a rare complication called phlebitis. Sclerotherapy treatments can occasionally cause brown staining of the skin. This is usually a temporary side effect that will resolve on its own.
Vein Treatment Clinic maintains a perfect track record
Vein Treatment Clinic is a group of state-of-the-art vein treatment clinics in New York, Long Island, New Jersey, California, and Maryland. Our vein treatment clinics are led by board-certified and Harvard-trained vein experts specializing in cutting-edge spider vein treatments. Instead of simply treating the visible spider veins, our vein doctors perform a thorough evaluation to diagnose the root cause of spider veins, following which they curate a personalized treatment plan.
We also use all possible precautions to ensure optimal safety and avoid unwanted complications. We have a perfect track record, as evidenced by our unanimous 5-star ratings and reviews on all online platforms, including Google, Real Self, and Facebook. If you have spider veins or other signs and symptoms of vein disease, please schedule an appointment at your nearest spider vein and varicose vein treatment clinic.
Can sclerotherapy be done wrong?
Sclerotherapy treatments may seem simple, but they must be performed by highly skilled vein doctors. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerotherapy solution into the treated vein. This solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and stick together, following which it’s reabsorbed by the body. However, sclerotherapy can be performed using numerous sclerosing solutions, and inexperienced vein doctors can cause unwanted complications.
Inexperienced vein doctors may use sclerosing solutions that cause considerable muscle cramps, pain, and discomfort. In the past, sclerotherapy was performed using hypertonic saline, which caused considerable pain. Our vein doctors use the latest and safest sclerotherapy solutions to ensure a painless experience. Furthermore, if inexperienced vein doctors inject the sclerotherapy solution into the wrong areas, you may suffer from necrosis or arterial complications.
You must contact the most skilled and talented spider vein doctors for your sclerotherapy treatments.
What are the long-term side effects of sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is generally a safe and effective procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and limitations associated with sclerotherapy. One of the most common risks associated with sclerotherapy is an allergic reaction to the sclerotherapy solution. This reaction is typically mild and can be treated with antihistamines.
Another potential risk of sclerotherapy is the development of blood clots in the treated vein. This complication is rare but can occur if the sclerotherapy solution is injected into a larger vein. Blood clots can be dangerous and may require medical treatment. Our vein doctors take all necessary precautions to prevent complications.
Can veins get worse after sclerotherapy?
It is not uncommon for the spider veins to seem to worsen before they get better. This is because the sclerotherapy solution makes the spider veins’ walls stick together and turn into hardened tissues. The hardened scar tissues look dark and hard against the skin’s surface. But your body will soon metabolize the scar tissues, making them fade away from the skin’s surface. After sclerotherapy, it can take around 3 weeks for the spider veins to disappear.
Who is not a candidate for sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is generally safe and effective, but there are some people who should not have the procedure. You should not have sclerotherapy if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a blood clotting disorder. You should also avoid sclerotherapy if you have an allergy to the sclerosing solution or any of the other ingredients in the solution.
How do you know if you have a blood clot after sclerotherapy?
The most common symptom of a blood clot is pain. You may feel a throbbing or cramping sensation in the affected area. The skin may also feel warm to the touch. Some of the other symptoms of a blood clot include swelling in the affected area, redness, increased sensitivity, and a feeling of tightness in the area. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.