What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure specially designed to improve the appearance of spider veins. The therapy involves injecting a solution into the vein that causes it to scar and collapse. This collapsed vein gets reabsorbed into local tissue and finally fades. Sclerotherapy is usually recommended by experts in treating spider veins as it is the most minimally invasive treatment. It also helps in treating symptoms such as swelling, aching and night cramps.

Thankfully, Sclerotherapy, unlike other procedures is a simple procedure that usually does not require anaesthesia and takes 15 minutes to an hour to complete.

Sclerotherapy Facts!

  • Few of the superficial and unneeded veins are often destroyed for cosmetic reasons.
  • Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for treating spider veins.
  • Patients may experience discomfort for one or two minutes after the vein in injected.
  • Most of the side-effects are temporary.

Pros of Sclerotherapy

Spider veins can be easily treated with the help of Sclerotherapy procedure, a well-known procedure with unique advantages. Below mentioned are two of the most distinguished benefits of Sclerotherapy:

  • Requires limited preparation
    One of the key advantages of Sclerotherapy is that it is not an intense surgery that requires a lot of preparation. On the contrary, the procedure is quite simple. The treatment involves injecting a special solution directly into the spider veins. This particular solution will eventually collapse the spider veins and make them disappear.
  • No rest required
    Unlike other procedures, you may not need long period of rest or hospitalization. Most of the patients are able to resume their work almost immediately after the procedure. Besides, the procedure does not take more than an hour to complete. It is a very quick but effective procedure for treating spider veins.
  • May be considered for medical insurance
    If Sclerotherapy is administered for medical reasons, then there is a possibility that medical insurance may cover its expenses.

Cons of Sclerotherapy

No procedure is flawless. Sclerotherapy has some issues as well. Mentioned below are to name a few:

  • Possibility of side-effects
    There is a possibility of witnessing few side-effects after Sclerotherapy. Side-effects include minor itching, which usually lasts for a day or two. In addition, you may also notice bruising around the injection site, which can last for several weeks. Small ulcers, skin inflammation and swollen legs are few common possible side-effects.
  • Not every vein will qualify
    Sclerotherapy procedure is applicable for small to medium sized veins only, which means not every vein will qualify for the treatment.
  • May need more than one treatment
    Most of the times, the results of Sclerotherapy are favourable for the short and long run. Some patients, depending on their vein conditions, require more than one treatment to see positive results.

Cost of the Treatment

The average cost of undergoing Sclerotherapy procedure is $550. The cost can vary depending on the condition of the patient’s veins, number of treatments required, and, more importantly, the method of treatment chosen.

Most health insurance companies don’t cover Sclerotherapy. Spider vein Sclerotherapy is considered as a cosmetic requirement.

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