Sclerotherapy

Summer Skin Hazards Slideshow

• Introduction
• How will I know if I am a candidate for sclerotherapy?
• How is sclerotherapy done?
• What do I need to do before the procedure?
• Could sclerotherapy cause any side effects?
• What happens after the treatment?
• How effective is sclerotherapy?
• Will my insurance cover sclerotherapy?

Introduction

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins . "Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.

Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure and has been in use since the 1930s.

How Will I Know if I am a Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

Prior to the procedure, you will have an initial consultation with a dermatologist or vascular medicine specialist who will advise you on your eligibility for sclerotherapy.

You are not eligible if you are pregnant or are bedridden. You can have sclerotherapy if you take birth control pills. If you have had a blood clot in the past, your eligibility will be decided on an individual basis, and will depend on the overall health of the area needing treated as well as the reason for the clot.

Veins that are potentially usable for future surgical bypass procedures (i.e. use of the saphenous vein, a large vein in the leg used for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) will generally not be considered for sclerotherapy, unless they are already deemed unusable.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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