Spider Veins

Spider veins are small, thin, and winding veins that look like little threads at the surface of your skin. They are often red, purple or blue in color. Healthy veins that swell can become spider veins. For many people, spider veins run in their family. Others can develop spider veins due to an injury.
Sclerotherapy Treatment for Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for eliminating spider veins. This is an out-patient procedure in which your vascular specialist will inject a chemical into the spider vein. The chemical causes the vein to collapse. Your body absorbs the vein and it eventually disappears. Healthy veins take over for the old vein and your circulation generally improves.

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Achieving the Best Results from Sclerotherapy

For the best cosmetic outcome, you may need at least two to three sclerotherapy sessions. Your doctor may also recommend that you wear special wraps around the treated area and elevate your legs. Other post-procedure recommendations include:

  • Limit sun exposure
  • Minimize the use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications
  • Avoid aerobic exercise for approximately 48 to 72 hours following treatment

You can also avoid skin discoloration in the affected area by:

  • Wrapping the area
  • Elevating your affected leg
  • Massaging your affected leg

Sclerotherapy Side Effects

Side effects of sclerotherapy may include:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Ulceration of injection sites
  • Slight stinging or burning during injection
  • Bruising, which usually fades over the next month
  • Brownish skin discoloration, which usually fades

You may also experience a blood clot when your vein shuts down during the injection therapy. Rest assured that these blood clots are not dangerous at all since your body absorbs the vein. They are not the same or as dangerous as blood clots which can occur for other reasons in the deeper veins inside your legs.

Sclerotherapy Complications

Sclerotherapy is generally a very safe and effective procedure. Occasionally, though, it can result in complications such as:

  • Phlebitis, which is an inflammation of the vein
  • Incomplete elimination of the vein
  • Pain or swelling
  • Developing new spider veins or varicose veins

If you experience any of these side effects or complications, our team of experienced vascular specialists will work with you to address and resolve them.

Spider Veins After Treatment

Once we treat your spider veins, they are gone forever and will not reappear. It is possible to develop new spider veins in other areas or even in areas that were previously treated.

Insurance Coverage for Sclerotherapy

Most insurance companies consider injection therapy cosmetic and do not provide coverage or reimbursement for it. We will tell you how much the procedure will cost before we schedule it so you can budget accordingly.