Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

Sclerotherapy for Varicose and Spider Veins

What Is Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy, involving injecting chemicals, is a minimally invasive procedure that helps treat varicose veins and spider veins. Sclerosing agents are needed in sclerotherapy of damaged veins. Sclerotherapy can reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins, and it can help diminish the appearance of spider veins or varicose. The symptoms of itching, pain, cramping, and discoloration are caused by varicose veins. Varicose veins are bigger and more severe than spider veins. Varicose veins are less common in men than in women, although anyone has the risks to get them. As estimated in trusted source, 20 percent of adults will be affected by varicose veins at some point in their lives. In 2017, more than 324,000 sclerotherapy procedures were done in the United States. Your legs and feet are the most common areas for varicose veins to develop. The affected veins may be raised, discolored, or swollen, and some are deeper under the skin and can cause discomfort. Spider veins are smaller in size, closer to the surface of the skin, and can appear red, purple, or blue. Depending on the size of the damaged veins, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose and spider veins in the following areas: ankles, thighs, face (frequently the sides of the nose), anus, feet, calves, feet.