Usually, spider and varicose veins are not a cause of worry because they may not initially cause pain. Over time, you will start noticing how they create an unpleasant appearance and become painful. So, how do you address the menace? Venice vein center uses sclerotherapy treatment to address and eliminate unsightly veins so you have pain-free legs. The treatment uses a chemical solution to collapse and seal the unhealthy veins so there is no blood supply. Read the following discussion to understand how you prepare for treatment and what to expect during and after treatment.
What Do You Do Before Sclerotherapy?
Your doctor will recommend avoiding certain medications before your treatment, including antibiotics that may stain your skin before sclerotherapy. Next, you will not take aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs two days before and after treatment. Such medications may make you susceptible to bleeding. A drug like prednisone may lower the effectiveness of the sclerosing agent, but you can ask your doctor if you can take it 48 hours before your treatment. Other instructions include not applying lotion on your legs before and after treatment. Your doctor may allow you to bring your support stocking to offer you support after sclerotherapy.
What Will Happen During Treatment?
Your doctor will likely use an ultrasound to guide the procedure and locate the right vein for treatment. Your doctor will also select the appropriate chemical concentration depending on the size of the vein requiring treatment and inject the liquid into your vein. You may feel a pinch when the needle pricks your skin and also experience a burning feeling and discomfort as the injection travels through your veins. Your doctor may treat several veins in one treatment session.
What Will Happen After Sclerotherapy?
You will lie down for a few minutes after treatment as your doctor watches you to ensure you develop no reaction from the injected material. Your doctor will recommend wearing compression stockings and support hosiery for up to seven days to compress your treated veins. Additionally, within 48 hours after treatment, you will avoid anti-inflammatory medications and blood thinners but can use acetaminophen for pain relief. You will also not be able to sit in hot baths and saunas. Instead, take a shower but with your water cooler than usual.
What Are The Side Effects of Sclerotherapy?
You will notice redness in the area where the needle went in, but it will go away within the next few days. Bruising at the injection site will also develop but last a few works. Also, you may develop lumpiness if you had treatment for larger affected veins, which may go on for several months. Most side effects will disappear within a few weeks but call your doctor immediately if you develop sudden swelling, small ulcers, red streaking, and inflammation.
Sclerotherapy is a safe procedure that eliminates vein issues, including varicose and spider veins. Such vein disorders develop when there is a lack of proper blood flow to your veins which then causes the pooling of blood in your veins. Your doctor may recommend sclerotherapy to treat smaller vein issues and larger veins with the guidance of an ultrasound. Your body will then absorb the treated vein and redirect blood flow to the healthy veins. Sclerotherapy allows you to resume regular activities as soon as possible as you wait for treated veins to disappear within the next two months.