Q: How long after Sclerotherapy can you get in the sun?
A: The more you wait the better but the minimum is 6 weeks.
You should wait for the acute inflammation to go away, usually in 4-6 weeks, depending on the solution used, the size of the vein treated and you skin complexion. (Olive skin or dark [...]
I’m only in my mid twenties and I’ve noticed a lot of little spider veins on the back of my thighs. I’m fair skinned. What’s up with this? And what can I do to alleviate them?
Spider veins are thin surface veins that turn blue or red under the strain of the venous reflux and affect [...]
Is a smaller ultrasound used to be able to see tiny spider veins? What if the veins are on my cheeks, can I still have them use an ultrasound?
Ultrasound guided sclerofoam is a procedure done to eliminate the so called tributary branches and peforators. Occasionally is used to eliminate some of the superficial “large” [...]
Will ultrasound waves damage an unborn fetus? Could the sclering chemicals hurt the mother or baby?
No, the ultrasound is not harmful to the unborn fetus, although I would not recommend elective ultrasound guided injection sclerotherapy during pregnancy. I would reserve elective vein treatments during pregnancy only to injection of bleeding varicose or spider veins only [...]
How does Ultrasound Guided Sclerofoam differ from Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy? What are the things they have in common?
Foam is just a way of agitating the sclerosant to make it “sudsy”. Ideally it is like shaving cream foam. It is the same drug used in standard ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. They are the same basic treatments just [...]
What is the benefit of adding ultrasound technology to sclerotherapy? Is it worth the additional cost?
For spider veins that wouldn’t be necessary (nor feasible). Ultrasound guidance is used for bigger abnormal veins beneath the skin that are not visible. Ultrasound is also useful before treatment to uncover an underlying cause such as saphenous vein reflux. [...]
Is it common to use sclerofoam to treat spider veins? I’ve heard conflicting answers.
While some physicians may used foamed solution to treat smaller veins, typically the spider veins and pale green reticular veins are treated without foaming the solution being used. In my practice we use a weak sclerosant that works nicely will little discomfort. [...]
Is there an added fee for the ultrasound technology when using sclerofoam compared to regular foam sclerotherapy? Is the extra monitoring worth the extra trouble and possible cost?
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (aka endovenous chemical ablation) is typically covered by insurance. This is performed to get rid of veins that are not visible to the naked eye [...]
Does the foam sclerotherapy procedure hurt more due to the foam expanding in the vein?
A small needle is used so there is very little pain – the foam itself does not hurt during injection.
- Dr. Wright
I’ve heard that drinking can dilate blood vessels. Will this affect my sclerotherapy procedure? Should I stay away from alcohol for a certain amount of time? I normally have 1 or 2 drinks 3 or 4 times per week.
The vasodilatory effect of alcohol only last for a few hours, less than four to be exact. [...]
How long does the Sclerosing agent remain in bloodstream after a procedure? I had it done while breastfeeding and was told to just disregard and continue.
Sclerotherapy solutions are safe in general. Saline solutions pose no risk to a breastfeeding infant. STS and other sclerosants, if used, are cleared fairly quickly. Usually within a few [...]
What machine is used in Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy? Is it the same one used to view babies in the womb?
Essentially “YES,” it is the same principle and even the same equipment. It requires special software and a different probe than the one used in Obstetrics to be vein-specific.
- Dr. Wright
I’ve heard that occasionally, small lumps of clotted blood can be felt after sclerotherapy. Aren’t blood clots quite dangerous?
Sclerotherapy can cause blood clots with an open vessel which theoretically could present a concern. In practice however this is extremely rare.
These type of “blood clots” are termed “Thrombus”, which is a clot within an open blood [...]
Will sclerotherapy permanently get rid of spider veins, or will I have to keep getting treatments forever?
Usually, multiple treatments are required initially. Usually 2 or 3 treatments are done at first. New veins frequently grow into the treated area, so periodic touch-ups are usually required to keep one’s legs free of spider veins.
- Dr. Wright
Is sclerotherapy safe for those with Celiac Disease? Does the sclerotherapy solution contain any gluten? I want to avoid any bad reactions.
I am not aware of any reason why a person with Celiac disease needs to avoid sclerotherapy. The solutions are very safe, including one popular choice that is just salt water. These medications are [...]
