Sclerotherapy

Tiny spider veins may appear on your face, arms, hands or legs as you age or in response to injury, trauma or disease. They are different from the larger varicose veins. Your doctor recommends treatment options for your spider veins after an examination.

A safe, effective method of treatment since the 1930s, sclerotherapy relies on a saline or chemical solution. A vein specialist injects the solution into the visible spider veins to cause them to shrink and disappear. You also may note improved blood flow, especially if you’ve suffered from chronic swelling due to venous insufficiency or improper valve efficiency.

Who Benefits from Sclerotherapy?

Although anyone can develop spider veins, some individuals are more susceptible. Those that respond well to sclerotherapy include:

• Anyone who stands for long periods of time, such as a factory worker, postal employee, hairdresser or teacher
• Those who have experienced an injury or trauma to their skin
• Women who experience significant hormonal fluctuation due to puberty, pregnancy or menopause
• Women who take birth control or undergo hormone replacement therapy
• Anyone who has a personal or family history of vein conditions or vein surgery
• Those with a history of blood clots
• Individuals who fight obesity
• Anyone with significant exposure to ultraviolet rays
• Those who suffer from conditions that cause increased abdominal pressure, such as constipation or tumors
• Smokers

Spider veins aren’t always accompanied by other symptoms, but along with the noticeable blue, red or purple veins, you may also experience aching, cramping or pain, especially in the legs. Burning, heaviness and tingling sometimes occur too. Occasionally, you may notice swelling around your ankles.

What’s Involved in a Sclerotherapy Procedure?

Your doctor often prescribes other treatments first, since sclerotherapy is minimally invasive. Other remedies include lifestyle changes, such as standing less, walking or swimming more, losing weight and wearing support hose. If these changes haven’t reduced your symptoms, the next step is sclerotherapy. The process involves a number of steps, including:

1. Up to 72 hours before your procedure, you need to avoid certain medications that increase blood flow, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
2. Your vein doctor performs a physical exam to rule out disqualifying underlying conditions, such as pregnancy and certain heart conditions.
3. Your doctor discusses your medical history to find lifestyle changes that may enhance the success of the sclerotherapy procedure. Make sure to list all the medications or supplements you take, including herbal remedies.
4. Depending on the depth of your spider veins, your doctor may use topical or local anesthesia, but this isn’t always necessary.
5. Using a very fine needle, your doctor precisely injects a saline or chemical solution into the affected veins.
6. The salt or chemicals in the solution irritates the lining of the tiny blood vessels, which causes the veins to collapse.
7. Your blood finds nearby veins to flow through, so your surrounding tissue is unaffected.
8. Over time, your body absorbs the dead vein tissue, and the spider veins disappear.

What Can You Expect After Sclerotherapy?

You can return to work immediately, as long as it’s not strenuous. For spider veins on your legs and ankles, your vein physician prescribes wearing support hose for a couple weeks. For spider veins on your arms, compression bandages are recommended around the treated area. Other short-term limitations include:

• Avoid aerobic activity and heavy lifting for a week or two after the procedure.
• Continue to avoid anti-inflammatory medications for up to 72 hours after the procedure.
• Avoid hot baths, long showers and hot compresses for the first day.
• Stay out of direct sunlight, which can cause spots on your skin.