Sclerotherapy DC

A Form of Varicose Veins Treatment

Many people are plagued with the bluish or red appearance of spider and varicose veins in their leg and ankle areas. Not only are these unattractive, they can be the cause of more serious conditions if left untreated. Some of these conditions include blood clots, venous eczema, and in severe cases, skin ulceration.

The exact cause of varicose veins is unclear, but one major factor is obesity. A sedentary lifestyle, sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time, and being confined to a bed can all contribute to this ailment. This condition is more prevalent in women which may indicate that changes in estrogen levels are also a factor.

These unsightly and sometimes painful veins can be eliminated by a simple and quick procedure called sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a solution, called a sclerosant, of 23% sodium chloride mixed with lidocaine and heparin are injected directly into the vein. This causes the lining of the vein to swell and stick together closing off the vessel. Scar tissue will eventually develop inside the vein and it will no longer be visible. Each procedure will take an average of 30 minutes.

Depending on the severity, some patients may require the varicose or spider veins to be given several injections a few weeks apart. The patient will be given support (or compression) stockings to wear immediately after the procedure to prevent bruising and swelling around the injection site. To facilitate quicker healing, it is recommended that patients exercise regularly while wearing the compression stockings. This will increase blood circulation to the area and also help prevent the appearance of new varicose or spider veins.

Sclerotherapy is a safe, effective, and simple way to eliminate unattractive and painful varicose veins. Done in a physician’s office, the patient’s down time is minimal and results can begin to become visible after the first treatment. There are a number of physicians, DC dermatologists and clinics that offer sclerotherapy in DC. You can search online or ask your doctor to recommend a trusted health professional that provides sclerotherapy in Washington, DC or surrounding areas.