Sclerotherapy Side Effects

Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicose veins or 'spider veins', and is a simple procedure which does not require hospitalization. Sclerotherapy has been around since 1930 and there are thousands of people who have undergone sclerotherapy. Only about 15 - 20 percent of those who undergo treatment experience any side effects. Women, more than men, seem to suffer from varicose veins, and the percentage of women taking treatment is naturally higher. A woman should not undergo sclerotherapy if she is pregnant. In sclerotherapy, a solution is injected into the affected veins with a small needle. Generally, a sodium chloride sterile solution and heparin are mixed with a local anesthetic and administered directly in the blood stream of the affected veins. The time taken depends upon the number of veins treated, and this usually depends on the condition of the veins and the patient.

The side effects can range from mild discomfort to an allergic reaction. Nowadays, a new procedure known as foam sclerotherapy has come along, in this the liquid sclerosing agent is mixed with room air to create foam, and this foam is then injected into the veins. Foam sclerotherapy is one of the easiest ways for varicose vein pain relief. Some of the side effects that you can expect to encounter include:

Needle Pain
One of the most common and widely encountered side effect is the pain experienced from the injection needle, during and after the procedure. As the sclerosing agent is directly injected in the veins for varicose vein treatment, the intravenous injection can sometimes be painful.

Bruising
The needle prick may cause bruising around the injected site, and this may last for a few days. The injected area may also have discoloration which takes a couple of days to a few weeks to fade away. Bruising is another most widely experienced side effect.

Ulcers
There is a possibility, although rare, of formation of small ulcers around the injected site. These ulcers are sometimes caused by the sclerosing agent causing an irritation on the skin. These ulcers heal completely, and most times are not even visible, but sometimes do scar the skin.

Recurrence
Sclerotherapy is not a complete treatment. It can only cure the injected veins, and it does not prevent varicose veins. Recurrence is generally when varicose veins are discovered after the treatment. This does not mean that these are new, but just that they are visible then. Patients who have undergone treatment may have to come in again to treat other veins that appear later.

Blood Clots
A slight chance of blood clot formation is always there when it comes to injections. These blood clots can be dangerous if they find their way to the heart or brain. However, there is a very rare chance of this happening, as physicians provide compression hose and immediate physical therapy that prevents the blood from clotting.

Allergic Reaction
A very low chance of allergic reaction exists in sclerotherapy, but these are temporary reactions. Many times the physician will check the solution on a small part of the skin for any allergic reactions before administering the injection. Irritation and tingling sensations are some of the most common temporary allergic reactions experienced by patients.

Patients with spider veins on legs may experience swelling in the leg after sclerotherapy. Considering all the factors, the side effects are negligible and can be controlled with the assistance of a physician. Some precautions that patients need to take before going in for sclerotherapy to avoid side effects are not to use skin lotions, and to inform the physician upfront about any other medication that they might be taking.