Do you see blue veins twisted and knotted on your legs? Let's learn everything about Sclerotherapy!

A problem that many people, especially women, have is the appearance of blue or purple veins on their legs. For some, these appear like small spider veins, while for others, they are large, painful veins ( Varicose Veins ). This not only makes the legs unsightly, but sometimes also causes discomfort such as pain and heaviness. So today we are going to talk about a very effective and simple treatment for this.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Simply put, Sclerotherapy is a very effective medical treatment for varicose veins and spider veins in your legs.

Here's what happens: Your doctor uses a very fine needle to inject a special chemical solution directly into the varicose vein. This medicine irritates the inner wall of the vein. The walls then stick together, forming a scar inside the vein, completely closing off the vein. When the vein closes, blood stops flowing through it. Over time, the body absorbs the blocked vein. Eventually, the vein disappears, and your leg looks and feels better.

Who is this treatment best for, and who is it not suitable for?

Although this treatment is suitable for many people with varicose veins or spider veins, it is not suitable for everyone. Before you have this treatment, you should meet with a vascular specialist or surgeon to determine if you are a good fit for this treatment.

You may not be able to undergo Sclerotherapy if you have the following conditions:

But if you are on birth control pills , you can have Sclerotherapy. Also, even if you have had a blood clot before, you may be able to have this treatment depending on the cause and severity. This is all determined by your doctor.

How should I prepare before treatment?

You may need to stop taking some medications a few days before your treatment. But remember, never stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor.

• Some antibiotics : Medications like Tetracycline and Minocycline can cause skin spots if taken 7-10 days before or after treatment. So tell your doctor about the antibiotics you are taking.
• Painkillers: Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen for 48 hours before or after treatment. These can increase bleeding. Acetaminophen (Panadol®) is fine for pain relief.
• Prednisolone: ​​Taking this medication may reduce the effectiveness of the liquid used for sclerotherapy. Ask the doctor who prescribed you Prednisolone if you can stop taking it 48 hours before treatment.

Other tips:

• Do not apply any type of lotion to your legs before or after treatment.
• Bring shorts to wear during treatment.
• If you have compression hosiery/support stockings that you used for previous treatments, bring them with you. The doctor can then see if they will fit this time.

What happens during treatment?

This does not require anesthesia . The entire procedure takes about 30-45 minutes.

1. First, your doctor will thoroughly clean the area to be treated.

2. Sometimes, an ultrasound scan can be used to locate the vein precisely, by scanning and marking it.

3. Then, your skin is pulled tight and a special liquid or foam is injected into the vein with a very fine needle.

4. You may feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle hits the skin and a slight burning sensation as the medicine goes in. You may also feel a slight pain for a minute or two when the large veins are punctured.

The number of veins treated in one session is determined by the size, location, and overall health of your veins.

What should I do and take care of after treatment?

After treatment, you can drive home. You can also engage in your usual activities. Walking is especially good .

However, be careful of these things for the next 48 hours:

• Do not take painkillers like Aspirin or Ibuprofen. If necessary, take Panadol.
• Don't take hot baths, saunas, or whirlpools. It's okay to take a shower with lukewarm water.
• Wash the injection site with a mild soap and lukewarm water.
• Do not apply hot compresses to treated areas.
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight (including sun tanning and tanning beds).

The most important thing is to wear the compression stockings or bandages prescribed by your doctor for 3 to 7 days. This will help the treated veins to be dilated, which will help the treatment to be successful.

Are there risks and side effects?

As with any medical treatment, Sclerotherapy can cause some minor side effects. However, serious complications are very rare.

The success rate of treatment is as high as 50% to 80%. In about 10% of cases, the treatment may not be successful. If that happens, your doctor may suggest a different solution or another method, such as laser therapy.