There are some medications you should not take before undergoing sclerotherapy. You should discuss any medicines you are currently taking with your doctor, especially antibiotics. You should also avoid applying lotion to your legs 48 to 72 hours before the procedure. While some doctors recommend not taking aspirin or ibuprofen, Tylenol is safe to take the day of the procedure. If you have an allergy, it is also best to contact your doctor.
Symptoms
After undergoing sclerotherapy, patients may experience some mild side effects such as discoloration and swelling. These side effects are temporary and may go away after a few days. However, some patients may experience darkened veins near the injection site. These veins are often caused by the iron in their blood. The darkening usually goes away within a year, but in some cases, it can last longer.
Before having sclerotherapy, patients should undergo a thorough physical examination and a series of tests. These exams will help your doctor determine if there are any underlying medical conditions or problems with blood vessels. In addition, a doctor will check for a history of blood clots. After the sclerotherapy procedure, patients should refrain from using lotion or shavers on the area. Additionally, patients should wear loose-fitting clothes, such as shorts.
Before having sclerotherapy, patients should consult a dermatologic surgeon to discuss the process. Your doctor will assess your overall health and determine your cosmetic goals, as well as the specific veins you would like to have treated. The procedure is painless, and ultrasound is used to take pictures. During your visit, you should not shave your legs or wear shorts. Your doctor will also take a history of your medical history and any medications or nutritional supplements you are taking.
Recovery time
The recovery time after sclerotherapy varies from patient to patient and is determined by the severity of the veins treated and the type of skin used. The patient may experience some pain and swelling after treatment, but the recovery period is generally minimal, allowing patients to resume their normal activities as soon as possible. The recovery time depends on the condition of the veins before the procedure, their skin type, and whether or not they have hyper pigmentation.
Most patients are able to return to normal activities on the day of the procedure, although they should avoid direct sunlight and strenuous activities for two weeks. Patients are advised to wear a compression hose for the first week after the procedure and should avoid heavy lifting for at least three to seven days. Patients should also avoid excessive sun exposure until they have completely healed. During the first few days after the procedure, some patients experience discoloration of the skin around the treatment area.
While most people can expect significant improvement after a single sclerotherapy session, large varicose veins may require several treatments. The treatment can take up to three months to achieve optimal results. However, veins that do not respond to the treatment may develop new ones. Patients are encouraged to schedule follow-up visits one month after the procedure. Patients should also wait at least six weeks before they schedule another session.
Medications used
Before having sclerotherapy, you should understand what this treatment entails. The benefits of the procedure outweigh any possible risks, but sclerotherapy is not for everyone. If you are considering sclerotherapy, you should consult with your doctor and insurance provider to make sure you’ll be covered. This procedure is usually painless and safe, but it can be associated with side effects if you’re not careful.
While sclerosants are typically classified as detergents, chemical irritants, and osmotic agents, some of them can have harmful side effects. Some of these include localized hives, tape compression blisters, and skin death. Other side effects include pulmonary embolism, migraines, and nerve damage. These are not the only side effects of sclerotherapy, but they’re worth considering before undergoing it.
Most side effects associated with sclerotherapy are mild and should fade after a couple of days. Some patients experience mild bruising in the area where the solution is injected. This bruising will usually go away on its own within a few days, but in rare cases, it may be permanent. In some cases, larger veins may become lumpy or swollen. Larger veins may require several months to dissolve. Some patients experience small blood clots in the treated veins.
Although sclerotherapy is usually used for spider veins, it is sometimes effective for treating other blood vessel disorders as well. Varicose veins are discoloured, painful, and are characterized by weak vein walls. A sclerosant is a liquid or foam that is injected into abnormal veins. It causes the veins to swell and stick together, causing a fibrous cord to develop. As time passes and the vessels heal, they will gradually shrink and fade away. The dead veins will then be absorbed by the local tissue.
Common AE
Although most sclerotherapy side effects are minor, some serious complications can occur. Blood clots in the lungs and deep veins can occur. Although uncommon, these clots can lead to difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, and coughing up blood. There are also potential risks of tiny air bubbles floating in the blood stream, resulting in headaches, visual disturbances, or nausea. In severe cases, an injection can obliterate a vein or limb.
While most sclerotherapy patients will have minimal AEs, pregnant and breastfeeding women are not eligible for this procedure. Some people with blood clotting issues should avoid sclerotherapy. People who have deep veins should also avoid sclerotherapy, as the procedure will not prevent new varicose veins. AEs of sclerotherapy include:
The recovery time for sclerotherapy treatment depends on the patient’s body’s response to the sclerosing agent. Most patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment, but you should avoid strenuous activity and heavy pounding for 48 hours after treatment. It may take several treatment sessions for optimal results. Additionally, sclerotherapy may not be suitable for exceptionally large veins. AEs can include localized pain, discoloration, or numbness.
Ultrasound guidance is another technique used for sclerotherapy. Ultrasound allows your physician to see your veins through ultrasound imaging. This technique makes the procedure painless and ensures the medication is injected safely. The procedure is also effective for larger varicose veins such as the great saphenous vein. It also has numerous benefits and is increasingly popular. The risks associated with this procedure include increased bleeding, bruising, and skin discoloration.
Serious AE
While sclerotherapy is a widely used procedure for superficial veins, there are a number of possible serious adverse effects (AE). Despite the procedure’s apparent safety, there have been reports of severe complications, including cutaneous necrosis, acute ischemia, and amputation. Below, we describe some of the most common AE and discuss how to prevent them. Symptoms of local AE include hyperpigmentation, matting, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Systemic side effects of sclerotherapy include acute ischemia and necrotizing fasciitis.
A doctor must perform a physical examination before administering sclerotherapy. The doctor will evaluate the condition of veins and check for underlying blood vessel disorders or heart conditions. In addition, patients should be free of medications that may increase the risk of bruising. Antibiotics, including Prednisone, may interfere with the sclerosing agent. Discontinuing these drugs before your sclerotherapy session requires the approval of your doctor. Patients should avoid wearing sunscreen, lotion, or underwear to protect the injected area.
During a sclerotherapy session, 50 to 80 percent of injected veins are eliminated. While there are few serious side effects, minor bruising at the injection site, blood clots in the treated vein, swelling around the vein, or pain after treatment are rare but serious. If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately. You should expect these effects to be temporary and will go away within three to six months.
Death associated with sclerotherapy
In addition to its cosmetic benefits, sclerotherapy has its own risks. Although it is rarely fatal, the procedure can result in transient phlebitis-type reactions, ankle swelling, and wound infections. In severe cases, sclerotherapy may result in pulmonary embolus, which can cause permanent lung damage. Some patients may also suffer permanent swelling of the legs. Although these risks are rare, physicians should be aware of the possible complications associated with the treatment.
One such case involved a woman who suffered from a faint spell with cardiovascular failure after sclerotherapy. The injected product was DCI lauromacrogal 400. Although the cause of death was not known, autopsy revealed that sclerotherapy caused cutaneous necrosis, which necrosed her right ventilum wall. This case is discussed in detail in this paper, which highlights the importance of evaluating the cause of death after sclerotherapy.
Other risks of sclerotherapy include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Although the incidence of these complications is unknown, a fatal pulmonary embolism occurred after compression sclerotherapy for a woman with superficial venae. The woman died 10 days after the procedure. A postmortem examination revealed pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in the calf.